Chronic inflammatory diseases are becoming a leading pathology and the main cause of death in Western civilization. Persistent inflammation is thought to be involved in a variety of different diseases, from autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis to cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and many types of cancer. Chronic inflammation often develops as a result of repeated or persistent infection with bacteria, fungi, or viruses. The exact factors that contribute to persistent inflammation remain largely unknown and can vary depending on the type of disease, making them difficult to identify. The lack of understanding of the mechanisms behind persistent inflammation is a key factor contributing to the challenges in effectively treating these diseases.

The main objective of the research topic is to compile the current state of knowledge in the field of persistent inflammatory diseases and the causes of the transition from acute to chronic disease progression and to collect potential new data to address the inflammatory processes. New technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics are particularly valued in this research collection. Special emphasis will be on immune and non-immune cells responsible for the immune response.

The research topic is focused on immunological aspects of chronic inflammatory diseases. It is strongly recommended that the authors at least discuss the possible mechanisms that lead to a chronic outcome of the inflammatory situation and address cells responsible for the unresolved immune response.

All types of research manuscripts are welcome, including comments on recently published papers discussing research findings and methodological approaches.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Mechanisms driving the acute-to-chronic inflammation transition
- Impact of genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles on the immunological mechanisms important for disease outcomes
- New therapeutic approaches targeting the immune system in persistent inflammation
- Review and commentary on recent advances and methodologies in inflammation research pertaining to immunology.

Studies without a focus on immunological mechanisms or consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases that are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation, for instance in an independent patient population or by PCR, are considered out of scope of this section.

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Understanding Chronic Inflammation: Mechanisms Behind its Persistence