Epigenetic and transcriptomic control of insect immunity under biotic stress

The field of insect immunology has seen significant advancements with the advent of epigenetic and transcriptomic technologies, transforming our understanding of how insects respond to biotic stressors. Insects rely solely on their innate immune systems to combat pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, compensating for their lack of adaptive immunity through intricate and rapidly adaptable molecular networks. Recent research highlights the role of epigenetic mechanisms—including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the regulatory actions of non-coding RNAs—in fine-tuning these immune responses without altering the genomic sequence. Alongside, transcriptomic approaches, especially RNA sequencing, have enabled comprehensive profiling of gene expression shifts during immune activation, revealing layers of complexity in host–pathogen interactions and immune adaptation. Despite these advances, fundamental questions remain about the precise molecular pathways that orchestrate these regulatory processes, the interplay between different regulatory layers, and the extent of immune plasticity and memory-like phenomena in insects.This Research Topic aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic and transcriptomic regulation of insect immunity in the face of biotic stress. Addressing unresolved issues, such as how dynamic epigenetic modifications influence gene expression, immune specificity, and potential memory-like immune responses, is of central importance. The integration of recent developments—including high-throughput sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, and multi-omics strategies—offers unprecedented opportunities to dissect immune regulatory circuits and their functional consequences. The Research Topic also seeks to examine how environmental and pathogen-derived factors modulate these regulatory landscapes, with the objective of understanding phenotypic plasticity, transgenerational immune priming, and the ongoing co-evolution between insects and their pathogens. Ultimately, deepening insights in this area may inform novel strategies for pest control and vector-borne disease prevention.This Research Topic welcomes contributions exploring the full spectrum of molecular regulation in insect immunity under biotic stress, while focusing on the integration and functional consequences of epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms. We encourage studies addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Epigenetic regulation of insect immunity, with emphasis on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling• Transcriptomic profiling of insect immune responses to diverse pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites)• Regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs (miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA) in immune signaling pathways• Gene regulatory networks in host–pathogen interactions and the molecular basis of co-evolution• Mechanisms and impacts of transgenerational immune priming and epigenetic inheritance• Study of insect immune response by integration of epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other ‘omics’ approaches• Environmental modulation of immune gene regulation under biotic stress conditions• Experimental and functional validation of candidate regulatory pathways involved in immunityWe welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, methods, perspectives, and systematic reviews that present new discoveries or synthesize current advances in this dynamic field. Topic editors: Mubasher Hussain, Yepin Yu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85266/epigenetic-and-transcriptomic-control-of-insect-immunity-under-biotic-stress