Bacterial Exotoxins: Exploring Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potentials

Bacterial exotoxins are potent virulent effectors that specifically target and interfere with host cellular functions at different subcellular localisation.

Studying their mode of action and cellular targets has unlocked our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis, informed the development of toxin-based vaccines, and provided essential tools for studying cellular processes. Exotoxins, thus, function as multi-faceted agents in both offense and defence within microbial survival strategies, as well as valuable assets in biomedical research. Despite the significant strides made, the complex interplay between microbial toxins and host cells remains a fertile field for novel discoveries and interdisciplinary exploration.

This Research Topic aims to address novel perspectives on the role of toxins and their producing bacteria as pathogenic weapons, immune defences, mediators in host-microbe interactions and tools for biomedical research and applications. Inspired by the exponential development of technologies that allow us to embrace the complexity of host-microbe interaction, coupled with new models and cross-disciplinary research, opens new avenues to explore both well-characterized and poorly understood bacterial toxins.

We invite researchers to contribute to this collection by submitting original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that expand our understanding of bacterial exotoxins through diverse angles, including but not limited to:

- Microbe-host interaction: Exploring the multifaceted roles of toxins in mediating and modulating interactions with host cells.

- Pathogenesis: Understanding the contribution of specific toxins to bacterial virulence and disease progression.

- Mechanism of action: Investigating how toxins interact with cellular targets and signalling pathways to exert their effects.

- Toxin delivery systems: Investigating how toxins interact with cellular targets and signalling pathways to exert their effects.

- Biomedical applications: Utilizing bacterial toxins as tools for novel research applications and therapeutic development.

Through this collection, we hope to provide a platform for insights into the diverse roles of bacterial toxins in infection biology, chronic disease establishment, therapeutic advancements, and translational research. This Research Topic offers the opportunity to present pioneering discoveries and foster discussions that will enrich our understanding of bacterial toxins and their multifaceted interactions with host systems.