Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) are members of the CEA gene family composed of 12 isotypes (CEACAM1, CEACAM3, CEACAM4, CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CEACAM7, CEACAM8, CEACAM16, CEACAM18, CEACAM19, CEACAM20, and CEACAM21). CEACAMs are a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells. Various CEACAM molecules are reported to involved in an important cellular function and as identification markers e.g. CEACAM1 has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in cell-cell communication thus regulating morphogenesis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cellular motility, apoptosis, and cell survival. Similarly, CEACAM1, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6 are considered as clinical biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets in melanoma, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Also, CEACAM2 has been shown to regulate insulin metabolism and maintaining energy balance. In addition, the CEACAM family acts as a binding receptor for a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that include E. coli, Neisseria sp., Moraxellacatarrhalis, Haemophilus influenza, Helicobacter pylori, Fusobacterium sp., Candida sp., murine hepatitis virus, and murine corona virus.
Despite the broad pathophysiological role of CEACAMs in key cellular processes, it’s role in pathogen/antigen responses is not well documented and remains poorly explored. Significant expression levels of CEACAMs on epithelial cells, mucus membrane, and innate immune cells provides a basis for further characterization of this immunoglobulin superfamily member for its role in pathogenicity and immune activation. Regardless of its clinical relevance, the potential of CEACAMs in cancer immunotherapies, including bi-specific antibodies for immunotherapy and tumor imaging, bispecific T cell engager (BiTE), and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) is yet to be fully explored. The goal of this Research Topic (or special issue) is to shed some light on the role of CEACAM mediated signaling in innate and adaptive immune responses, cancer progression, cell, and immunotherapy, and delineating the CEACAM mediated regulation in mucus/epithelial membranes.
We welcome Original Research, Review/Mini-Review, and Perspective articles focusing on, but not limited to the following areas:
1. Role of CEACAMs in viral, bacterial, and fungal infection
2. Role of CEACAMs in cell signaling, cell survival, and cellular homeostasis
3. CEACAMs in chronic and acute infections and antiviral therapy
4. Role of CEACAMs in autoimmune diseases
5. CEACAMs in B-cell, T-cell, NK cell, Toll-like Receptor (TLR) signaling, tolerance, and exhaustion
6. CEACAMs as a next chapter in immune checkpoint activation
7. Role of CEACAMs in tumorigenesis, cancer, and cell/immunotherapy
We are deeply indebted to the contributions of our late Guest Editor, Dr. Bernhard B. Singer. This research topic collection would not have been possible without his tireless efforts and inspiration in the CEACAM field.
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) are members of the CEA gene family composed of 12 isotypes (CEACAM1, CEACAM3, CEACAM4, CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CEACAM7, CEACAM8, CEACAM16, CEACAM18, CEACAM19, CEACAM20, and CEACAM21). CEACAMs are a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells. Various CEACAM molecules are reported to involved in an important cellular function and as identification markers e.g. CEACAM1 has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in cell-cell communication thus regulating morphogenesis, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cellular motility, apoptosis, and cell survival. Similarly, CEACAM1, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6 are considered as clinical biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets in melanoma, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Also, CEACAM2 has been shown to regulate insulin metabolism and maintaining energy balance. In addition, the CEACAM family acts as a binding receptor for a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that include E. coli, Neisseria sp., Moraxellacatarrhalis, Haemophilus influenza, Helicobacter pylori, Fusobacterium sp., Candida sp., murine hepatitis virus, and murine corona virus.
Despite the broad pathophysiological role of CEACAMs in key cellular processes, it’s role in pathogen/antigen responses is not well documented and remains poorly explored. Significant expression levels of CEACAMs on epithelial cells, mucus membrane, and innate immune cells provides a basis for further characterization of this immunoglobulin superfamily member for its role in pathogenicity and immune activation. Regardless of its clinical relevance, the potential of CEACAMs in cancer immunotherapies, including bi-specific antibodies for immunotherapy and tumor imaging, bispecific T cell engager (BiTE), and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) is yet to be fully explored. The goal of this Research Topic (or special issue) is to shed some light on the role of CEACAM mediated signaling in innate and adaptive immune responses, cancer progression, cell, and immunotherapy, and delineating the CEACAM mediated regulation in mucus/epithelial membranes.
We welcome Original Research, Review/Mini-Review, and Perspective articles focusing on, but not limited to the following areas:
1. Role of CEACAMs in viral, bacterial, and fungal infection
2. Role of CEACAMs in cell signaling, cell survival, and cellular homeostasis
3. CEACAMs in chronic and acute infections and antiviral therapy
4. Role of CEACAMs in autoimmune diseases
5. CEACAMs in B-cell, T-cell, NK cell, Toll-like Receptor (TLR) signaling, tolerance, and exhaustion
6. CEACAMs as a next chapter in immune checkpoint activation
7. Role of CEACAMs in tumorigenesis, cancer, and cell/immunotherapy
We are deeply indebted to the contributions of our late Guest Editor, Dr. Bernhard B. Singer. This research topic collection would not have been possible without his tireless efforts and inspiration in the CEACAM field.
