The Role of Cytokines and Autoantibodies Against Cytokines in Health and Disease

A special issue of Immuno (ISSN 2673-5601). This special issue belongs to the section "Autoimmunity and Immunoregulation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 546

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Insitute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, 77900 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Interests: inflammation; natural killer (NK) cells; immune response; metabolism; vaccines
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cytokines are small proteins that play a vital role in regulating the growth, inhibition, and activity of various cells. Some serve as signals to activate functions of the immune system; others are involved in more open spectra, affecting different cells. Due to their beneficial effects, several pharmacological options have been designed to facilitate the treatment of various diseases. Antibodies against specific cytokines have been successfully used in therapy and can interfere with the inflammatory response, decreasing disease burden.

Conversely, autoantibodies targeting cytokines have also been identified; their role is considered significant, at least in the immune response. It is thought they may neutralize and inhibit the physiological function of the cytokine. It is plausible that additional autoantibodies against other cytokines other than those related to the immune response exist and affect other functions therein. Autoantibodies against cytokines have also been observed in healthy individuals, and their function remains ambiguous.

This Special Issue is intended to examine the functions of cytokines within various physiological and pathological contexts and address the role of autoantibodies targeting cytokines. Contributions exploring pharmacological methods for modulating cytokine effects, including delivery mechanisms and inhibitory strategies, are also encouraged. Submissions from both human and animal model studies are welcome.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in IJMS.

Prof. Dr. Juan Bautista De Sanctis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cytokine
  • autoantibodies
  • cytokine therapy
  • cytokine inhibition

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

23 pages, 2184 KiB  
Review
Role of Inflammatory Mediators in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pathogenesis: Updates and Perspectives
by Pankush, Khushboo Bharti, Rohit Pandey, Namita Srivastava, Shashank Kashyap, Deepak Kumar, Lokender Kumar, Sunil K. Suman and Sanjay K. S. Patel
Immuno 2025, 5(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/immuno5020013 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects the lungs and airways. It is characterized by persistent bronchitis, a condition exemplified by the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the hypersecretion of mucus, emphysema, and the destruction of the airway [...] Read more.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, debilitating condition that affects the lungs and airways. It is characterized by persistent bronchitis, a condition exemplified by the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the hypersecretion of mucus, emphysema, and the destruction of the airway parenchyma. The combination of these conditions leads to persistent tissue damage, pulmonary fibrosis, and ongoing inflammation of the airways. The inflammatory response in COPD is a complex process that is orchestrated by a wide range of immune cells. These include lung epithelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and T and B lymphocytes, among others. These cells work together to produce a wide range of inflammatory biomarkers that are involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. Some of the key inflammatory biomarkers that have been identified in COPD include a variety of cytokines, the C-reactive protein/serum albumin ratio, fibrinogen, soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, club/clara cells in the lungs with a molecular weight of 16 kDa, surfactant protein D, adiponectin, reactive oxygen species, and proteases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of immune cells and key inflammatory biomarkers in the development and progression of COPD. It will delve into the intricacies of the inflammatory response in COPD, exploring the various cell types and biomarkers that are involved in this process. By understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive COPD, we can better develop targeted treatments that can help to alleviate the symptoms of COPD. Full article
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