Exploring the Immune-Metabolic Network in Diabetes

Diabetes, as defined by the World Health Organization, represents a collection of metabolic diseases characterized primarily by hyperglycemia, which can result in long-term damage and failure of various organs, including eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. The disease categorizes primarily into two etiopathogenetic types: Type 1, where pancreatic β-cells are destroyed by the immune system, leading to lack of insulin, and Type 2, characterized by insulin resistance coupled with β-cell dysfunction. These changes not only disrupt glucose and lipid metabolism but also lead to altered immune responses, facilitating a complex dialogue between immune functions and metabolic activities. Key players in this interaction are various cytokines such as adipokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and resistin, which profoundly influence both the risk and progression of diabetes. Understanding new relationships between immunological and metabolic factors involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes, presents opportunities for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

This Research Topic aims to delve deeper into the intricate relationships between the immune system and metabolic processes in the context of diabetes, with a particular emphasis on elucidating the roles and mechanisms of cytokines. By understanding how these biomolecules influence immune-metabolic cross-talk, we can potentially identify novel interventions and therapeutic targets. Recent research has hinted at direct interactions where metabolic shifts influence immune cell differentiation and function, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory molecules like diabetogenic cytokines further complicate the diabetes landscape. However, the exact molecular mechanisms orchestrating these interactions remain inadequately explored and understood.

To gather further insights into these complex interactions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• The impact of cellular metabolism on immune response activation in diabetic conditions.

• Detailed interactions of specific cytokines with metabolic pathways in diabetic environments.

• Molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between metabolic mediators and immune cells, including diabetogenic cytokines.

• The role of the complex immune-metabolic network in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

• Effects of metabolic reprogramming on immune cell polarization and function.

• Hyperglycemia-induced alterations in immune and metabolic landscape.

In this Research Topic, we encourage submissions of Original Research, Short Communications, and Reviews that explore these critical aspects of diabetes pathogenesis.

Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), immune system, inflammation, autoimmune disease, diabetogenic cytokines, metabolism, metabolic disorders, metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia

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.