The adaptive immune system, common to all vertebrates, allows for a specific and highly efficient immune response against pathogens. Its efficiency relies on the recognition of a broad spectrum of specific antigens by lymphocytes expressing diversified antigen receptors. However, it also requires distinction between self and non-self antigens as an essential step for the establishment of a precise and adequate immune response.
During its evolution, the adaptive immune system thus had to face challenging trade-offs between an increased competence to detect and destroy ever-changing pathogens and the maintenance of self-tolerance to prevent inflammation and autoimmunity. The complexity and dynamics of this process, also as a consequence from host-pathogen co-evolutionary pressures, eventually led to the emergence of diverse and unique biological and functional mechanisms.
This Research Topic will provide an overview of the origin and evolution of the multiple aspects of the adaptive immune system, with a special focus on mechanistic and evolutionary trade-offs. Considering the emergence of adaptive immunity in vertebrates, we will take into account interactions between lymphocytes, MHC, pathogens and commensal microorganisms, self-tolerance mechanisms, cancer, and other diseases. We welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review and Original Research articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- The evolution of adaptive immunity in vertebrates
- Pathogen/microbiome-host co-evolution
- Immunocompetence vs Autoimmunity
- Cancer and immune recognition
- Genetic/genomic variation in adaptive immune genes
- Individual variation in immune repertoires
The adaptive immune system, common to all vertebrates, allows for a specific and highly efficient immune response against pathogens. Its efficiency relies on the recognition of a broad spectrum of specific antigens by lymphocytes expressing diversified antigen receptors. However, it also requires distinction between self and non-self antigens as an essential step for the establishment of a precise and adequate immune response.
During its evolution, the adaptive immune system thus had to face challenging trade-offs between an increased competence to detect and destroy ever-changing pathogens and the maintenance of self-tolerance to prevent inflammation and autoimmunity. The complexity and dynamics of this process, also as a consequence from host-pathogen co-evolutionary pressures, eventually led to the emergence of diverse and unique biological and functional mechanisms.
This Research Topic will provide an overview of the origin and evolution of the multiple aspects of the adaptive immune system, with a special focus on mechanistic and evolutionary trade-offs. Considering the emergence of adaptive immunity in vertebrates, we will take into account interactions between lymphocytes, MHC, pathogens and commensal microorganisms, self-tolerance mechanisms, cancer, and other diseases. We welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review and Original Research articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- The evolution of adaptive immunity in vertebrates
- Pathogen/microbiome-host co-evolution
- Immunocompetence vs Autoimmunity
- Cancer and immune recognition
- Genetic/genomic variation in adaptive immune genes
- Individual variation in immune repertoires
