Infection-associated immunomodulation and autoimmune disease: Mechanisms, signatures, and clinical implications

The field of infection-linked autoimmunity has as the main objective to understand whether and to what extent exogenous antigens can disrupt normal immune regulation and trigger or exacerbate autoimmune disease. High-resolution immunoprofiling (e.g. with a focus on the role of regulatory T cells, T follicular helper cells, and other innate lymphoid populations) coupled to modern molecular diagnostics have allowed us to better understand how both innate and adaptive immune signatures shift during chronic infections, particularly in the context of parasitic diseases like leishmaniasis. Interestingly, there is growing evidence that chronic or repeated infections, along with vector-derived antigens, can permanently alter immunological landscapes and drive maladaptive processes such as chronic inflammation, autoantibody production, and immune cell dysfunction. Recent studies have further shed light on a spectrum of dysregulated immune pathways, associated with molecular mimicry, bystander activation, epitope spreading, and sustained cytokine signaling, which collectively foster loss of immune tolerance. Despite these advances, substantial gaps persist. We do not understand well the mechanism(s) behind transition from protective immune responses to pathogenic autoimmunity (always accounting for the diversity of host responses), and are yet to identify the precise roles of environmental co-factors. This is likely related to the lack of integrative models that account for local environmental exposure, vector biology, and host genetics as potential co-drivers of autoimmune phenotypes (of heterogeneous nature). Additionally, the translation of immunological insights into effective interventions remains a significant challenge.This Research Topic aims to give emphasis to infection-linked autoimmunity and compile relevant studies that add to our mechanistic understanding of how infection-driven immune changes condition the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Studies of fundamental, translational, and epidemiological nature are welcome, excluding however those studies centered solely on cancer or unrelated clinical markers. Particularly, we welcome articles addressing (while not limited to) the following themes:• Distinction between infection-induced and idiopathic autoimmunity, and the role of vector-host interactions; • The role of molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and bystander activation in infection-driven autoimmunity;• Characterization of cytokine networks, autoantibody profiles, and immune cell dysfunction associated with infectious triggers• The role of chronic parasitic infection and vector-derived antigens in the modulation of immune signatures and pathogenesis;• Study of environmental factors, genetics, and epidemiology in the context of susceptibility and/or progression of autoimmune disease;• Exploitation of innovative methodologies, including high-dimensional immunophenotyping, systems biology, sero-epidemiology, and validated computational approaches;• Predictive biomarker discovery and translational research linking immunological findings to novel interventions and preventive strategies;• Evaluation of novel therapeutic platforms, such as mRNA vaccines targeting vector antigens, with a mechanistic link to immune regulationManuscripts should provide mechanistic or translational insights into how infections and vector-derived antigens influence immune regulation and contribute to autoimmunity. Submissions may explore immune cell dysfunction, molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and chronic inflammation using high-resolution immunoprofiling, molecular diagnostics, or innovative computational and systems approaches. Studies examining host genetics, environmental factors, vector-host interactions, predictive biomarkers, or novel therapeutic strategies, including mRNA vaccines, are encouraged, while research solely focused on cancer or unrelated clinical markers falls outside the scope. Topic editors: Soumaya Marzouki, Melika Ben Ahmed, Pedro Cecílio Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80080/infection-associated-immunomodulation-and-autoimmune-disease-mechanisms-signatures-and-clinical-implications