Editorial: Cytokine Dynamics in Livestock: From Health to Pathology

Mohanned Naif Alhussien^1*Anja Serap Sipka²Giovanna De Matteis³Susana Flores-Villalva⁴Jamal Hussen⁵

• ¹School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
• ²Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
• ³Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, CREA, Rome, Italy
• ⁴National Centre for Disciplinary Research in Animal Health and Safety, National Institute for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP), Mexico city, Mexico
• ⁵King Faisal University College of Veterinary Medicine, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Cytokines are pivotal signaling molecules that coordinate the complex interplay between innate and adaptive immune systems in livestock. These molecules including interleukins, chemokines, interferons, lymphokines, tumor necrosis factors, growth factors, and adipokines are fundamental regulators of immune homeostasis, inflammation, and host defense against pathogens and environmental stressors (1,2). Acting in autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine modes, cytokines influence diverse physiological processes, including immune cell activation and differentiation, tissue remodeling, reproductive function, lactation, and metabolic balance during physiological transitions (3,4). Despite their central role in immunity and health, the regulatory networks and species-specific functions of cytokines in livestock remain incompletely characterized. Important questions persist regarding how these mediators shape immune resilience, disease susceptibility, and productivity in different species. To address these gaps, the Research Topic "Cytokine Dynamics in Livestock: From Health to Pathology" was launched to consolidate recent advances in cytokine-driven mechanisms of immune regulation, hos-pathogen interactions, and physiological adaptation in livestock. This collection comprises seven original research articles, covering a wide range of physiological and pathological contexts, from reproductive and nutritional regulation to host responses against bacterial and mycobacterial infections. Collectively, these studies advance our mechanistic understanding of cytokine biology and highlight the translational potential of cytokine-based diagnostics, therapeutics, and management strategies to enhance livestock health and productivity. Studies in this collection highlight significant advances in understanding the immunopathological and diagnostic roles of cytokines during infectious diseases in livestock.