Neuroimmunological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets in Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disorders of the Central Nervous System

Dear Colleagues,

Neuroimmunology has profoundly transformed our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Growing knowledge of the complex interactions between adaptive and innate immune responses has led to the identification of novel biological targets and biomarkers, and to the development of increasingly targeted therapeutic strategies. At the same time, many aspects of disease pathogenesis, progression, treatment response, and neurodegeneration remain to be clarified from a drug-oriented and translational perspective.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in neuroimmunology as a basis for medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and therapeutic development in MS and other inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. Topics of interest include identification and validation of druggable targets and biomarkers of disease activity and treatment response (e.g., immune cell subsets, neuroinflammatory pathways), elucidation of mechanisms of action and pharmacological profiles of disease-modifying therapies, including anti-CD20 therapies, and medicinal chemistry and drug design studies on small molecules and biologics. We welcome studies providing drug-focused insights into disease pathogenesis, immune-mediated mechanisms, biomarkers, and treatment response, with the ultimate goal of advancing precision medicine and therapy-oriented innovation in MS and related demyelinating disorders.

Dr. Stefania Orlando
Dr. Roberto De Masi
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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.