Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a diverse group of infectious diseases that are traditionally found in tropical and subtropical countries. People living in poverty are among those most affected, and several of the infectious agents that cause NTDs can also have a significant impact on domestic animal and livestock populations. Collectively, NTDs affect more than one billion people and reduce the economies of developing nations by billions of dollars every year. In addition to the diversity among the pathogens causing, and range of geographic regions affected by, NTDs, a vast array of immune mechanisms and responses are invoked by infection with the causative agents. Through clinical immunology and investigations in their animal models, NTDs provided information that was critical in defining the Th1/2 paradigm. Over the past few years genetic, molecular biology and immunology tools have emerged that allow NTDs and their laboratory models to be used to define how innate cells modulate adaptive immune responses.
This Research Topic will focus on recent advances in our understanding of innate cell subsets, as well as how these cells can influence the outcome of NTDs. We welcome the submission of Original Research and Review articles covering the following aspects in the immunity to, in particular, African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmania, and leprosy:
1. The differential role of dendritic cells, innate lymphoid cells and macrophages in protective or pathogenic responses during NTDs.
2. Innate immune receptors involved in the recognition of pathogens causing NTDs, such as TLRs.
3. New insights into immune components provided by observations involving clinical, veterinary and experimental animal infections with pathogens associated with NTDs.
4. Innate immune evasion mechanisms adopted by pathogens associated with NTDs.
5. Vaccination strategies against NTDs.
Topic Editor Dr. Malcolm Duthie is employed by company HDT Biocorp. The other Topic Editor declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a diverse group of infectious diseases that are traditionally found in tropical and subtropical countries. People living in poverty are among those most affected, and several of the infectious agents that cause NTDs can also have a significant impact on domestic animal and livestock populations. Collectively, NTDs affect more than one billion people and reduce the economies of developing nations by billions of dollars every year. In addition to the diversity among the pathogens causing, and range of geographic regions affected by, NTDs, a vast array of immune mechanisms and responses are invoked by infection with the causative agents. Through clinical immunology and investigations in their animal models, NTDs provided information that was critical in defining the Th1/2 paradigm. Over the past few years genetic, molecular biology and immunology tools have emerged that allow NTDs and their laboratory models to be used to define how innate cells modulate adaptive immune responses.
This Research Topic will focus on recent advances in our understanding of innate cell subsets, as well as how these cells can influence the outcome of NTDs. We welcome the submission of Original Research and Review articles covering the following aspects in the immunity to, in particular, African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmania, and leprosy:
1. The differential role of dendritic cells, innate lymphoid cells and macrophages in protective or pathogenic responses during NTDs.
2. Innate immune receptors involved in the recognition of pathogens causing NTDs, such as TLRs.
3. New insights into immune components provided by observations involving clinical, veterinary and experimental animal infections with pathogens associated with NTDs.
4. Innate immune evasion mechanisms adopted by pathogens associated with NTDs.
5. Vaccination strategies against NTDs.
Topic Editor Dr. Malcolm Duthie is employed by company HDT Biocorp. The other Topic Editor declares no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.