Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets of Autoimmune Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets of Autoimmune Diseases”, aims to delve deeply into the molecular underpinnings and potential therapeutic targets of both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune disorders.

Autoimmune diseases are multifactorial chronic conditions influenced by a confluence of genetic predispositions, environmental triggers, hormonal changes, and immune system dysregulations. The spectrum of autoimmune diseases is diverse, encompassing a wide range of clinical manifestations and varying degrees of severity, often characterized by a dysregulated interplay between innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is crucial for developing more effective therapeutic strategies. Key molecular players include genetic factors such as polymorphisms in immune-related genes, epigenetic modifications, proteomic changes, and aberrant increases in levels of circulating immune cells and their signaling pathways. Additionally, environmental factors such as infections, diet, smoking, and toxins can modulate immune responses and contribute to disease onset and progression.

Furthermore, identifying novel therapeutic targets is paramount for the advancement of personalized medicine in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Recent therapeutic developments have focused on modulating immune checkpoints, cytokine signaling pathways, and specific immune cell subsets to restore immune tolerance and prevent tissue damage. Biologic agents, small-molecule inhibitors, and novel drug delivery systems are among the innovative therapeutic approaches that have shown promise in clinical trials.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions that explore these intricate molecular mechanisms, providing insights into how specific genetic and epigenetic alterations, immune cell dysregulations, proteomic changes, and environmental interactions converge to drive autoimmunity. Moreover, we encourage submissions of research aimed at unraveling potential therapeutic targets or novel biomarkers. We encourage submissions that utilize cutting-edge techniques in genomics, proteomics, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics to unravel these complex networks in both pediatric and adult patients.

This Special Issue encompasses original research articles and comprehensive reviews. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases;
• Omics signatures contributing to autoimmune disease susceptibility and progression;
• Role of environmental and host factors in modulating immune responses and disease outcomes;
• Identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets in autoimmune diseases;
• Development and evaluation of traditional and innovative therapeutic approaches, including biologics, small molecules, and personalized medicine strategies.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of autoimmune disease mechanisms and stimulate the development of novel therapeutic strategies that can ultimately improve patient outcomes.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Giulio Olivieri
Dr. Fulvia Ceccarelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 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.

• systemic autoimmune diseases
• inflammation
• cytokines
• proteomics
• transcriptomics
• metabolomics
• flow cytometry
• autoantibodies
• molecular mechanisms
• novel therapeutic approaches