Mucosal surfaces represent a primary interface between the human body and the environment, serving as critical portals for pathogens. Traditional vaccines predominantly induce systemic immunity, often overlooking mucosal immunity, which can be crucial for initial barrier defense. Recent advances in mucosal immunology have underscored the need to develop vaccines that can induce robust immune responses at mucosal sites. Challenges such as achieving targeted delivery, maintaining vaccine stability, and evoking a sufficiently potent immune response without causing adverse effects dominate current research.
This Research Topic aims to consolidate the latest findings and foster new research that will broaden our understanding of mucosal vaccines and their role in modulating the immune system. Specifically, it will focus on elucidating mechanisms by which mucosal vaccines influence local and systemic immune responses and how these can be harnessed to enhance vaccine effectiveness and safety. This includes investigating novel adjuvants, delivery systems, and the role of the microbiota in shaping immune outcomes.
To gather further insights into the dynamics of mucosal immunization and immune regulation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel mucosal adjuvants and their mechanisms of action
- Innovations in delivery systems for mucosal vaccines
- The impact of mucosal vaccines on systemic and local immune responses
- Interactions between mucosal vaccines and the microbiome
- Clinical trials and case studies evaluating the efficacy of new mucosal vaccines
This exploration of mucosal vaccines is crucial for advancing our understanding and development of next-generation vaccines that are capable of challenging the global burden of infectious diseases effectively.
Keywords: Mucosal, Vaccines, Immunity, Adjuvants, Microbiome
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.
