Immune Pathways and Mechanisms Involved in Viral Infections
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: host–virus interactions; viral pathogenesis; inflammatory signaling pathways; virus latency and persistence; antiviral immune response; neurovirology; antiviral therapeutic strategies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: viral latency; genome editing therapeutic strategies for viral infections; antiviral therapeutic strategies; antiviral immune response and host-viral molecular interaction
Special Issue Information
Dear colleagues,
Viral infections initiate complex interactions with the host’s cellular machinery, significantly shaping the course and outcome of the infection. Viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cell metabolism and disrupt essential cellular processes, thus generating a favorable environment for their replication. In response, host cells activate robust antiviral defense mechanisms mediated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), which identify viral molecular patterns. This recognition triggers intracellular signaling cascades, leading to the production of type I interferons (IFN-α/β) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, establishing an antiviral state and promoting the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection.
However, viruses have concurrently developed advanced strategies to evade these host defenses. These include disrupting PRR signaling, inhibiting interferon production, and modulating host gene expression. A comprehensive understanding of these viral immune evasion strategies is critical for developing effective antiviral therapies and vaccines.
This Special Issue explores the molecular mechanisms that govern host–virus interactions, focusing on immune recognition pathways, viral immune evasion strategies, and their implications for pathogenesis and therapeutic development. By bringing together recent advances and insights through a compilation of cutting-edge research and expert reviews, this Issue will provide an invaluable resource for researchers working towards effective interventions against viral infections and improving global health outcomes.
Topics for Submission:
- Immune Signaling Pathways in Viral Infections;
- Antiviral Defense Mechanisms;
- Mechanisms of Host–Virus Interactions;
- Viral Immune Evasion Strategies;
- Immune Modulation by Viruses;
- Host Cell Metabolism and Viral Replication;
- Antiviral Therapies and Drug Development;
- Vaccine Development Strategies.
Dr. Celina Monteiro Abreu
Dr. Lendel Correia Da Costa
Dr. Ana Carolina Soares
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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
- viral infections
- host–virus interactions
- immune pathways
- viral evasion
- antiviral therapies
- vaccine development
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