About this Research Topic
Neuronal guidance cues defined initially as regulating attraction, repulsion, and chemotactic signalling in the developmental patterning of the nervous system have gained a growing appreciation for similar controls upon immune cell chemotaxis.
Utilizing plexin/semaphorin, neuropilin, ephrin and netrin signalling axes amongst others, these signalling cues range from modulation of repertoire formation in the thymus to mature peripheral B and T cell localisation and similar control of macrophage, granulocyte, and dendritic cell activity at inflammatory sites. Given the recently identified roles of local microinflammatory foci in metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies, it is not surprising to find involvement of neuronal guidance cues also in these processes. Similarly, the immune response to both haematological and solid tumours may be influenced profoundly by the effects of the tumour and/or its microenvironment upon the neuronal guidance cue display with consequences for tumour targeting by responding immune cells.
This Research Topic seeks to cover the most recent developments in all the aspects described above with a particular focus upon bridging discipline to identify commonality of signalling mechanisms, where the involvement of tissue-specific cells and microenvironments add layers of complexity unique to each situation. Such complexity may involve the integration of several neuronal guidance cues operating simultaneously to fine-tune or grade cell migratory responses. To aid such approaches, overviews of RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq and spatial transcriptomic analyses will be particularly welcome to add background to observed effects upon chemotactic migration in models in vitro or in vivo. Most importantly, to help advance the field, the authors are requested to view this series as a chance to hypothesize and synthesize ideas that build upon and even reinterpret the earlier literature.
We anticipate that submissions may be in all acceptable formats from original research to reviews and will embrace the concept that directed cell migration in the mammalian immune system may reutilize well into maturity the same guidance cues that pattern neuronal interactions during embryonic development.
Utilizing plexin/semaphorin, neuropilin, ephrin and netrin signalling axes amongst others, these signalling cues range from modulation of repertoire formation in the thymus to mature peripheral B and T cell localisation and similar control of macrophage, granulocyte, and dendritic cell activity at inflammatory sites. Given the recently identified roles of local microinflammatory foci in metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies, it is not surprising to find involvement of neuronal guidance cues also in these processes. Similarly, the immune response to both haematological and solid tumours may be influenced profoundly by the effects of the tumour and/or its microenvironment upon the neuronal guidance cue display with consequences for tumour targeting by responding immune cells.
This Research Topic seeks to cover the most recent developments in all the aspects described above with a particular focus upon bridging discipline to identify commonality of signalling mechanisms, where the involvement of tissue-specific cells and microenvironments add layers of complexity unique to each situation. Such complexity may involve the integration of several neuronal guidance cues operating simultaneously to fine-tune or grade cell migratory responses. To aid such approaches, overviews of RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq and spatial transcriptomic analyses will be particularly welcome to add background to observed effects upon chemotactic migration in models in vitro or in vivo. Most importantly, to help advance the field, the authors are requested to view this series as a chance to hypothesize and synthesize ideas that build upon and even reinterpret the earlier literature.
We anticipate that submissions may be in all acceptable formats from original research to reviews and will embrace the concept that directed cell migration in the mammalian immune system may reutilize well into maturity the same guidance cues that pattern neuronal interactions during embryonic development.
Keywords: Immune Cell Chemotaxis, Neuronal Guidance Cues, Inflammation
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