It is known that endothelial cells (ECs) play critical roles in vascular function and homeostasis. However, the roles of ECs in both innate and adaptive immune responses are still an enigma. It has been previously reported that, in comparison to macrophages, a prototypic innate immune cell type, ECs show some innate immune functions that macrophages carry out, including cytokine secretion, phagocytic function, antigen presentation, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and danger-associated molecular patterns-sensing, proinflammatory, immune-enhancing (innate immune memory, trained immunity), cytokine storm-related to COVID19 infection, anti-inflammation, immunosuppression, and migration. But the mechanism is not entirely understood. For instance, are endothelial cells innate immune cells? How do endothelial cells work in concert with other immune cells to control immune responses, causing or fighting inflammatory diseases? Moreover, the heterogeneity and plasticity of ECs make it more intriguing about their regulatory roles in the immune response.
To meet the needs of this emerging research field, we have organized this Research Topic. We welcome the submission of related research in different formats, including Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis & Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Classification, General Commentary, Opinion, and Technology & Code articles, focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. How innate immune functions of endothelial cells contribute to cardiovascular health and disease;
2. How endothelial cells promote pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, differentiation, effector functions, tolerogenic functions, trained immunity, trained tolerance functions to other immune cell types;
3. Specific features and signaling pathways of innate immune functions of endothelial cells in comparison to the prototypic innate immune cell types such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells;
4. How inter-tissue EC heterogeneity affect its immune regulatory role;
The novel insights into the physiological and pathological roles of ECs in the regulation of immune trafficking, immune stimulation, and immune inhibition may lead to the identification of new risk factors that mediate innate immunity pathways of ECs and potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases with chronic inflammations such as diabetes, fatty liver diseases, fibrosis, and cancers.
It is known that endothelial cells (ECs) play critical roles in vascular function and homeostasis. However, the roles of ECs in both innate and adaptive immune responses are still an enigma. It has been previously reported that, in comparison to macrophages, a prototypic innate immune cell type, ECs show some innate immune functions that macrophages carry out, including cytokine secretion, phagocytic function, antigen presentation, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and danger-associated molecular patterns-sensing, proinflammatory, immune-enhancing (innate immune memory, trained immunity), cytokine storm-related to COVID19 infection, anti-inflammation, immunosuppression, and migration. But the mechanism is not entirely understood. For instance, are endothelial cells innate immune cells? How do endothelial cells work in concert with other immune cells to control immune responses, causing or fighting inflammatory diseases? Moreover, the heterogeneity and plasticity of ECs make it more intriguing about their regulatory roles in the immune response.
To meet the needs of this emerging research field, we have organized this Research Topic. We welcome the submission of related research in different formats, including Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis & Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Classification, General Commentary, Opinion, and Technology & Code articles, focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. How innate immune functions of endothelial cells contribute to cardiovascular health and disease;
2. How endothelial cells promote pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, differentiation, effector functions, tolerogenic functions, trained immunity, trained tolerance functions to other immune cell types;
3. Specific features and signaling pathways of innate immune functions of endothelial cells in comparison to the prototypic innate immune cell types such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells;
4. How inter-tissue EC heterogeneity affect its immune regulatory role;
The novel insights into the physiological and pathological roles of ECs in the regulation of immune trafficking, immune stimulation, and immune inhibition may lead to the identification of new risk factors that mediate innate immunity pathways of ECs and potential novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diseases with chronic inflammations such as diabetes, fatty liver diseases, fibrosis, and cancers.
