In recent years, the field of immunology has increasingly focused on the role of glycolipids and sphingolipids in the differentiation and function of innate immune cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, and innate T cells. These lipids are integral to the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to pathogenic microorganisms. In turn, pathogenic microorganisms use their own glycolipids to evade killing by target host cells. For example, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can evade phagocyte maturation by using its unique mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan glycolipid. Therefore, innate immune cells have evolved mechanisms to recognize and eliminate a variety of pathogen-derived glycolipids. Glycolipids have been shown to be involved in the differentiation and immunological functions of blood cells. Current research highlights the importance of lipid rafts—microdomains enriched with cholesterol at the cell membrane surface—in regulating immune signaling. These rafts are implicated in critical processes such as hemostasis and thrombosis. Additionally, CD1 molecules present glycolipids and sphingolipids to innate T cells, such as natural killer T (NKT) cells, which serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Despite these advances, there remains a need for a deeper understanding of how these lipids influence immune cell differentiation and function, as well as their role in host-pathogen interactions.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which glycolipids and sphingolipids affect the differentiation and functional regulation of blood cells involved in the innate immune response. It seeks to explore the impact of pathogenic glycolipids on host invasion and their interaction with innate immunity. By addressing these areas, the research will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of lipid-mediated immune responses and their implications for both health and disease.
To gather further insights into the role of glycolipids and sphingolipids in innate immunity, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The role of glycolipids and sphingolipids in the differentiation and functions of blood cells involved in the innate immune response.
- The regulation and homeostasis of host innate immunity by glycolipids and sphingolipids.
- The effects of pathogenic glycolipids and sphingolipids on host-pathogen interactions.
- The role of glycolipids and sphingolipids in regulating innate and cell-mediated immunity.
Topic Editor Dr. Moriya Tsuji is a Scientific Advisor of Tinkeso Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Keywords: glycolipids, sphingolipids, innate immunity, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, differentiation, pathogenic microorganisms, infection, immune response
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.
