Given the success of the Research Topic ‘The spatial-temporal dynamics of host-pathogen interaction during inflammatory disease’ Volume I and the rapidly evolving subject area, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II.

Inflammation, both acute and chronic, caused by pathogens has a major impact on human health. Severe inflammation affecting vital organs can often become lethal as in Covid-19 patients. Upon invasion, pathogens can be detected by sentinel cells through the pattern recognition receptors. These cells release cytokines and chemokines to recruit more immune cells to defend against the pathogen, initiate tissue repair and further induce adaptive immunity. The study of host-pathogen interactions in the immune response is crucial for understanding pathogenicity and finding potential treatments for inflammatory diseases. However, the spatial-temporal dynamics during host-pathogen interaction have not been adequately studied in the past due to technical limitations.

Over recent years, advances in imaging technologies including multiphoton imaging, light-sheet microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, etc. have enabled us to have an in-depth visualization of tissue, on a larger scale and with unprecedented resolution. Studies on the spatial-temporal dynamics of host-pathogen interaction can directly unveil the distribution and behavior of the microbe and host immune cells, allowing the dissection of interaction mechanisms from a brand-new angle. These new technologies combined with traditional methods can help us better understand microbial pathogenesis and design optimal therapeutics. In this special issue, we call for studies exploiting the advantages of new imaging technologies to characterise the spatial-temporal dynamics of host-pathogen interaction during inflammatory diseases caused by pathogens.

The goal of this research topic is to provide a comprehensive collection of paradigms on the spatial-temporal dynamics of host-pathogen interaction within their host during pathogen-induced acute/chronic inflammation, to elucidate the distribution and migration of microbes in the host at different levels (organ, tissue and cellular), and to better understand how microbes interact with host immune cells and somatic cells and trigger cellular processes like apoptosis, NETosis, inflammasome formation, etc.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Methodology articles that studies the interaction of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses and their host. Studies that focus on, but are not limited to, the following areas are welcome:

1. The spatial-temporal dynamics of pathogens during inflammatory response and microbial factors regulating inflammatory response.
2. The spatial-temporal dynamics of immune cells during inflammatory response as well as their differentiation and regulation.
3. The labelling and tracking of viruses or single viral particles during their interactions with the host cells.
4. The dynamic response of organelles within immune cells during pathogen invasion.
5. Comparison of commensal microbial behavior during natural and diseased conditions.
6. Comparison of microbial behavior during natural infection and drug treatment.

For all the above goals, the application of advanced imaging methods (intravital imaging, light sheet microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, live cell imaging, etc.) is strongly desired. Moreover, research on the regulatory mechanism behind these dynamic processes would be highly welcome.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Host-Pathogen Interaction during Inflammatory Disease - Volume II