Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage. Diffuse connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are the most common group of autoimmune diseases that can cause damage to multiple organs throughout the body and lead to a high mortality rate. It is generally accepted that CTDs have a multifactorial origin and their clinical manifestations vary widely, with the most common sites of severe damage being in the lungs and heart, such as causing interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Currently, it is believed that CTD-ILD differs from idiopathic ILD in terms of pathogenesis and treatment options. Available studies suggest that genetic factors, alveolar cells, macrophages, and neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD, but the exact mechanisms need further clarification. CTD-associated PAH is most often associated with systemic sclerosis. The pathophysiology of PAH is not fully understood. Unlike idiopathic PAH, inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to the initiation and progression of CTD-associated PAH. In addition, pneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, and myocardial damage can also occur in CTD. Early diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and treatment options for these cardiac and pulmonary involvements are currently insufficient.
This special issue gathers research on immune-mediated heart and lung injury, focusing on CTDs including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory diseases, anti-synthetase syndrome, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease. The aim of this Research Topic is to comprehensively and deeply explore the pathogenesis, high-risk factors, early identification and differential diagnosis, treatment options, and other aspects of immune-mediated heart-lung injury, in order to further improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients.
We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, and Perspectives covering the diagnosis, treatment, and mechanistic studies of immune-mediated heart and lung injury in autoimmune diseases. The main points of this Research Topic are as follows:
1) Molecular mechanisms of autoimmune heart or lung diseases, including innate and adaptive immune disorders;
2) Advances in the development of novel drugs, such as biological agents, synthetic molecules, herbal medicines, and traditional Chinese medicine;
3) Advances in diagnosis, such as biomarkers for early detection, echocardiography and computed tomography (CT), efficiency of diagnostic criteria, and prognostic indicators;
4) Advanced multidisciplinary approaches to optimal care management for patients with immune-mediated cardiopulmonary impairment involving rheumatologists, cardiologists, and pulmonologists.
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs, leading to inflammation and damage. Diffuse connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are the most common group of autoimmune diseases that can cause damage to multiple organs throughout the body and lead to a high mortality rate. It is generally accepted that CTDs have a multifactorial origin and their clinical manifestations vary widely, with the most common sites of severe damage being in the lungs and heart, such as causing interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Currently, it is believed that CTD-ILD differs from idiopathic ILD in terms of pathogenesis and treatment options. Available studies suggest that genetic factors, alveolar cells, macrophages, and neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD, but the exact mechanisms need further clarification. CTD-associated PAH is most often associated with systemic sclerosis. The pathophysiology of PAH is not fully understood. Unlike idiopathic PAH, inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to the initiation and progression of CTD-associated PAH. In addition, pneumonia, pleurisy, pericarditis, and myocardial damage can also occur in CTD. Early diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and treatment options for these cardiac and pulmonary involvements are currently insufficient.
This special issue gathers research on immune-mediated heart and lung injury, focusing on CTDs including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory diseases, anti-synthetase syndrome, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease. The aim of this Research Topic is to comprehensively and deeply explore the pathogenesis, high-risk factors, early identification and differential diagnosis, treatment options, and other aspects of immune-mediated heart-lung injury, in order to further improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients.
We welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, and Perspectives covering the diagnosis, treatment, and mechanistic studies of immune-mediated heart and lung injury in autoimmune diseases. The main points of this Research Topic are as follows:
1) Molecular mechanisms of autoimmune heart or lung diseases, including innate and adaptive immune disorders;
2) Advances in the development of novel drugs, such as biological agents, synthetic molecules, herbal medicines, and traditional Chinese medicine;
3) Advances in diagnosis, such as biomarkers for early detection, echocardiography and computed tomography (CT), efficiency of diagnostic criteria, and prognostic indicators;
4) Advanced multidisciplinary approaches to optimal care management for patients with immune-mediated cardiopulmonary impairment involving rheumatologists, cardiologists, and pulmonologists.
