Immunological Responses and Immune Defense Mechanisms
A section of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Section Information
The immune system detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, playing a key role in protecting the host from infections. The immune system can be divided into two main subsystems: the innate immune system and adaptive immune system. The innate immune system is an older evolutionary defense strategy and exists in all species; it is the first layer of protection for the host and can respond to broad pathogens in a generic immediate, but non-specific way. The adaptive immune system has a stronger immune response as well as immunological memory; it is also highly specific to particular pathogens that the host has encountered.
This Section of Pathogens aims to publish high-quality contributions, including original research and review papers, covering all aspects of immune responses and immune defense against pathogens.
Subject Areas include but are not limited to:
- Innate and adaptive immunity to infection
- Cell-mediated immunity
- Immune response against pathogens
- Immune defense mechanisms
- Immunological memory
- Immune evasion
- Autoimmune disease
- Inflammation
- Immunodeficiencies
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Coxiella burnetii: The Host Immune Response, Host–Pathogen Interaction and Pathogenesis (Deadline: 20 August 2026)
- Regulation of Host Innate Immunity During Pathogens Infection (Deadline: 31 August 2026)
- Immunopathogenesis of Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (Deadline: 10 September 2026)
- Pathogen–Host Interactions: Death, Defense, and Disease (Deadline: 20 September 2026)
- Innate Immune Response and Pathogen Dynamics (Deadline: 30 September 2026)
- Aquatic Pathogens and Host Immune Responses (Deadline: 30 September 2026)
- Diagnosis, Immunopathogenesis and Control of Bacterial Infections—2nd Edition (Deadline: 20 December 2026)
- Regulatory Pathways in Host Defense Against Pathogens (Deadline: 31 January 2027)
- Innate Immune Sensing and Evasion Mechanisms in Viral Infections: From Fundamental Biology to Clinical Translation (Deadline: 28 February 2027)
- Host–Pathogen Interactions in Intracellular Infections: From Immune Sensing to Vaccine Development (Deadline: 31 March 2027)
