About this Research Topic
This research topic will provide an overview of the frontiers in lipid research unveiling novel concepts in host microbe interaction that may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Lipids are a heterogeneous group of molecular species that share hydrophobic or mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties. The major lipid classes are: fatty acids, tri-, di- and mono-acylglycerols consisting of the alcohol glycerol and fatty acid chains, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters, phospholipids and sphingolipids. Fatty acids are the backbone of lipids and can be further modified by the addition of functional groups or metabolized to generate bioactive derivatives.
Only recently, with advances in instrumentation such as mass spectrum analysis, has the study of lipids blossomed and novel aspects of lipids beyond their roles as fuel, backbone of hormones and vitamins, structural component of cell membranes, and proinflammatory messenger molecules have emerged. While the basic biochemistry of lipids is shared between microbes and eukaryotic hosts, each have their own unique signatures that can be exploited in host microbe interaction. Thus, lipids are increasingly recognized as a regulated arm of innate host defense with direct antimicrobial function and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, microbial lipids and redirected host lipids contribute to pathogenicity and the host employs multiple mechanisms to detect microbial lipids and initiate an appropriate immune response.
For this topic we welcome in vitro and in vivo studies that focus on lipids in host microbe interaction. We seek Original Research articles, Technology Reports, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini Reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Host lipids: Antimicrobial function
• Host lipids: Regulators of inflammation
• Microbial lipids: Pathogenicity factor
• Microbial lipids: Recognition by the host
Lipids are a heterogeneous group of molecular species that share hydrophobic or mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties. The major lipid classes are: fatty acids, tri-, di- and mono-acylglycerols consisting of the alcohol glycerol and fatty acid chains, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters, phospholipids and sphingolipids. Fatty acids are the backbone of lipids and can be further modified by the addition of functional groups or metabolized to generate bioactive derivatives.
Only recently, with advances in instrumentation such as mass spectrum analysis, has the study of lipids blossomed and novel aspects of lipids beyond their roles as fuel, backbone of hormones and vitamins, structural component of cell membranes, and proinflammatory messenger molecules have emerged. While the basic biochemistry of lipids is shared between microbes and eukaryotic hosts, each have their own unique signatures that can be exploited in host microbe interaction. Thus, lipids are increasingly recognized as a regulated arm of innate host defense with direct antimicrobial function and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, microbial lipids and redirected host lipids contribute to pathogenicity and the host employs multiple mechanisms to detect microbial lipids and initiate an appropriate immune response.
For this topic we welcome in vitro and in vivo studies that focus on lipids in host microbe interaction. We seek Original Research articles, Technology Reports, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini Reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Host lipids: Antimicrobial function
• Host lipids: Regulators of inflammation
• Microbial lipids: Pathogenicity factor
• Microbial lipids: Recognition by the host
Keywords: Host-microbe interaction, antimicrobial lipids, inflammation, pathogenicity factors, immune response, microbial lipids, lipid synthesis, lipid pathway
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
