Vertical viral transmission and immune programming of the developing lung: from cytokine signaling to respiratory disease

Maternal respiratory viral infections during pregnancy can cross into the fetal compartment and reshape the immune and inflammatory environment of the developing lung. Emerging evidence from 3D fetal lung organoid models shows that prenatal viral exposure alters cytokine signaling pathways that guide normal lung immune development, with consequences that extend well beyond the neonatal period.This Research Topic aims to bring together mechanistic and clinical evidence on how vertical viral transmission programs the immune system of the developing lung. We want to clarify how virus-induced cytokine and inflammatory signaling during gestation shapes long-term respiratory health, and to connect laboratory findings on fetal immune programming with clinical and longitudinal data on postnatal respiratory outcomes. The goal is to build a shared framework linking mechanism to disease risk, informing future strategies for early detection and intervention.We welcome submissions covering: (1) mechanistic studies of virus-induced cytokine and inflammatory signaling in the fetal lung, including organoid and animal models; (2) clinical and longitudinal studies linking early-life viral exposure to postnatal respiratory outcomes such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergy, and immune tolerance or sensitization; and (3) reviews synthesizing vertical transmission pathways and neonatal immune programming. Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives, and Case Reports are welcome. Topic editors: GIOVANNI PIEDIMONTE, Sara Manti, Jiahui Ding Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85338/vertical-viral-transmission-and-immune-programming-of-the-developing-lung-from-cytokine-signaling-to-respiratory-disease