Viruses cause widespread disease in humans and animals and driving periodic outbreaks and global epidemics. Over the past century, viral infections such as Influenza, HIV, and the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have profoundly impacted global health, highlighting the urgent need to understand viral pathogenesis.
Despite remarkable advances in scientific research and groundbreaking technologies, our efforts to effectively combat emerging viral pathogens remain largely inadequate as no single approach has proven universally successful. So, it is very important to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive viral pathogenesis. Identification of the molecular mechanisms and proteins by which viruses interact with host cells and manipulate immune responses is essential for discovering new antiviral agents and developing more targeted, effective treatments.
This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning viral pathogenesis in the context of pandemics. It is vital to explore how viruses interact at the molecular level with host cells and manipulate immune responses, as this knowledge could lead to novel antiviral developments and more precise therapeutic interventions. Equally important is understanding how host immune system responds during viral infections, and how viruses exploit the vulnerabilities of the host immune system to survive. Only by deciphering these complex interactions we can develop strategies to strengthen immune defenses while minimizing harmful immune responses.
This special issue aims to consolidate current insights from the scientific community on the following areas:
· Mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and viral adaptation to host environments
· Host cellular and humoral immune responses to viral infections
· Signal transduction and immune cell activation during viral infections
By deepening our understanding of these molecular mechanisms, we can not only enhance our ability to combat existing viral diseases but also be better prepared for emerging viral threats in the future.
Keywords: Viral pathogenesis, Infection, Inflammation, Drug repurposing, Gut-microbiome, Host-directed therapies
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.
