Targeting the Complement for the Treatment of Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Central Nervous System
A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Neurology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026
Special Issue Editors
2. Department of Physiology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, 115 23 Athens, Greece
3. Immunogenetics Laboratory, 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aeginition Hospital, Vas. Sophias, 74, 115 27 Athens, Greece
Interests: multiple sclerosis; neuroimmunology; autoimmune disease; nervous system autoimmune disease
2. Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Diseases Unit, Center of Expertise for Rare Demyelinating and Autoinflammatory Diseases of CNS, First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA, Aeginition University Hospital, Vas. Sofias 72-74, 115 28 Athens, Greece
Interests: clinical immunology; immunogenetics; neurology; multiple sclerosis; demyelinating diseases; autoimmunity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The complement system, an essential arm of innate immunity, has recently gained recognition as a central player in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Beyond its traditional role in host defense, complement activation orchestrates inflammation, synaptic pruning, and neuronal injury, thereby influencing both immune-mediated demyelination and progressive neurodegeneration. Dysregulation of complement components has been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), myasthenia gravis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Advances in molecular immunology and neurobiology have deepened our understanding of the intricate interactions between complement activation, adaptive immune responses, and glial cell function. The complement cascade also plays a critical role in microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier disruption. These mechanistic insights have paved the way for novel therapeutic strategies that selectively target complement components—such as C1q, C3, and C5—to modulate immune responses, reduce tissue injury, and promote neuroprotection.
This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine aims to highlight recent progress in understanding and therapeutically targeting the complement system in autoimmune and neurodegenerative CNS diseases. We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Complement biomarkers for disease activity, prognosis, and treatment response;
- Experimental and clinical studies of complement inhibitors in autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders;
- Emerging therapeutic approaches and clinical trials targeting the complement cascade.
By integrating perspectives from immunology and neurology, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how complement modulation may redefine therapeutic strategies for CNS autoimmune and degenerative diseases.
Dr. Charalampos Skarlis
Dr. Maria Anagnostouli
Dr. Evangelia Liouta
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- complement
- biologics
- monoclonal antibodies
- neurodegenerative diseases
- CNS autoimmune diseases
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