The field of pulmonary immunity has garnered significant attention, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored our limited understanding of lung responses to infections. A critical aspect of maintaining pulmonary function during infection is the communication between host cells to balance pathogen elimination and lung damage control. Both immune and structural cells play pivotal roles in creating a microenvironment that influences their phenotype and function. However, the specific mediators involved in these processes remain largely undefined. Recent studies have identified lipids as crucial regulators of pulmonary homeostasis, influencing both physiological and pathophysiological processes in the lungs. Lipids are involved in surfactant metabolism and the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. The significance of surfactant homeostasis is evident in conditions like pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, where macrophage dysfunction leads to lipid accumulation, impaired lung function, and increased infection susceptibility. Lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, have shown promise in enhancing cholesterol clearance from alveolar macrophages and improving respiratory functions. Despite these advances, the role of lipids in mediating interactions between immune and structural cells in the lungs remains poorly understood, highlighting the need for further investigation.
This Research Topic aims to explore the role of host lipids in the interaction between lung structural and innate immune cells. By elucidating the function of lipid mediators, we hope to identify new therapeutic avenues for respiratory diseases. The research will focus on understanding how lipids influence the crosstalk between these cell types, potentially leading to novel interventions that target lipid pathways to improve respiratory health. Specific questions include how lipid mediators affect immune responses and how they can be manipulated to enhance pathogen clearance or reduce lung damage.
To gather further insights into the role of lipids in lung cell interactions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- How pulmonary structural cells shape the innate immune response.
- How innate immune cells influence the response of lung structural cells.
- Cell types involved in the response to lipids.
- Role of the pulmonary surfactant, pro-resolving mediators, low- and high-density lipoproteins during infection.
- Importance of the location of the immune response (upper vs lower airways) for disease outcome.
- Use of lipids as a therapeutic approach.
- Manipulating the host lipid metabolism to enhance the clearance of the pathogen or limit immunopathology: new perspective?
Keywords: lipids; lipid mediators; lipoproteins; lung structural cells; innate immune cells; lung; respiratory infection
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.
