During the past 100 years, scientists discovered several important aspects of steroidogenesis and secosteroidogenesis; the biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and the systems-level role in regulating physiology and pathology. Steroid hormones control metabolism, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics, inflammation, and immunity. Secosteroids, while regulating the body calcium metabolism, can also regulate similar physiological functions in the body, however, in a different manner. Malfunctioning of the steroidogenesis and steroid signaling has been shown to cause diseases such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary, hypertension, Cushing’s syndrome, and disorders of sexual characteristics. Deregulation of steroidogenesis may also lead to a variety of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. As relates to secosteroids, their deficiency in addition to affecting the musculoskeletal system can influence many different body and barrier functions.
One of the remarkable roles of steroid hormones is the regulation of immune cell function. The importance of initial studies on glucocorticoids and their anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive function was recognized in the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine to Edward Kendall, Tadeus Reichstein, and Philip Hench in 1950. Subsequently, extensive original research contributed to the field and paved the way for new directions. Many questions on different aspects of steroidogenesis and steroid signaling as well as secosteroidal signaling in physiology and disease remain open so far, making the field more interesting than ever.
Recent discoveries pointed out a role for steroids and secosteroids (active forms of vitamin D) in the area of cancer immunity, immunometabolism, resolution of inflammation, and described the non-genomic action of steroids and their neuroendocrine regulation of immune cells. However, further studies, discussion, critical reviews, and opinions are needed to fully understand the steroid and secosteroid mediated regulation of immune cell function. This would include discoveries of new pathways of vitamin D activation and 7-dehydrocholesterol metabolism.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish a comprehensive overview of the regulatory role of steroidogenesis and steroid signaling pathway as well as of secosteroids in regulating immune cell function in disease or homeostasis (in any species). We welcome Original Research, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, General Commentary and Opinion articles, covering but not limited to, the role of steroid hormones and secosteroids in:
1. Immune cell metabolism
2. Cancer immunity
3. Resolution of inflammation and immunity
4. Non-genomic action of steroids on immune cells
5. Actions of secosteroids (vitamin D derivatives) on immune cells
6. Infection
7. Autoimmunity, immune tolerance, and pregnancy
8. Inflammatory disorders
9. Wound healing and tissue repair
10. Neuroendocrine regulation of immune cell function
11. Origin and development of immune cells
During the past 100 years, scientists discovered several important aspects of steroidogenesis and secosteroidogenesis; the biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and the systems-level role in regulating physiology and pathology. Steroid hormones control metabolism, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics, inflammation, and immunity. Secosteroids, while regulating the body calcium metabolism, can also regulate similar physiological functions in the body, however, in a different manner. Malfunctioning of the steroidogenesis and steroid signaling has been shown to cause diseases such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary, hypertension, Cushing’s syndrome, and disorders of sexual characteristics. Deregulation of steroidogenesis may also lead to a variety of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. As relates to secosteroids, their deficiency in addition to affecting the musculoskeletal system can influence many different body and barrier functions.
One of the remarkable roles of steroid hormones is the regulation of immune cell function. The importance of initial studies on glucocorticoids and their anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive function was recognized in the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine to Edward Kendall, Tadeus Reichstein, and Philip Hench in 1950. Subsequently, extensive original research contributed to the field and paved the way for new directions. Many questions on different aspects of steroidogenesis and steroid signaling as well as secosteroidal signaling in physiology and disease remain open so far, making the field more interesting than ever.
Recent discoveries pointed out a role for steroids and secosteroids (active forms of vitamin D) in the area of cancer immunity, immunometabolism, resolution of inflammation, and described the non-genomic action of steroids and their neuroendocrine regulation of immune cells. However, further studies, discussion, critical reviews, and opinions are needed to fully understand the steroid and secosteroid mediated regulation of immune cell function. This would include discoveries of new pathways of vitamin D activation and 7-dehydrocholesterol metabolism.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish a comprehensive overview of the regulatory role of steroidogenesis and steroid signaling pathway as well as of secosteroids in regulating immune cell function in disease or homeostasis (in any species). We welcome Original Research, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, General Commentary and Opinion articles, covering but not limited to, the role of steroid hormones and secosteroids in:
1. Immune cell metabolism
2. Cancer immunity
3. Resolution of inflammation and immunity
4. Non-genomic action of steroids on immune cells
5. Actions of secosteroids (vitamin D derivatives) on immune cells
6. Infection
7. Autoimmunity, immune tolerance, and pregnancy
8. Inflammatory disorders
9. Wound healing and tissue repair
10. Neuroendocrine regulation of immune cell function
11. Origin and development of immune cells
