The Autophagy-NETs Axis in Autoimmunity and Innate Immune Dysregulation: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

The innate immune system is essential for frontline defense against infections and for maintaining tissue integrity and immune balance. Among its core mechanisms, autophagy and extracellular traps (ETs) are crucial in host protection and cellular regulation. Dysregulation of these pathways is increasingly associated with tissue injury, thrombosis, chronic inflammation, and autoimmunity. The autophagy-NETs/ETs axis has emerged as a critical link between innate immune imbalance and the development of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and psoriasis. Emerging insights from molecular immunology, systems biology, and therapeutic innovation make this a timely and important moment to explore this axis in greater depth. This Research Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research, reviews, and perspectives that investigate the mechanistic roles, pathological relevance, and therapeutic opportunities associated with the autophagy-ETs axis in innate immune dysregulation and autoimmunity.

Specifically, we aim to:
•Explore the pathophysiological relevance and mechanisms of the autophagy-ETs axis across a spectrum of immune-mediated diseases
•Highlight novel therapeutic approaches, including autophagy modulators, ET inhibitors, and combination immunotherapies for the treatment or modulation of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Key topics
• Cytokine/chemokine networks and type I/III interferon responses contributing to autophagy-ETs axis
• Autophagy and ETosis: cellular stress, cell death and immunity
• Autophagy's role in pathogen clearance, antigen presentation, and inflammation
•Therapeutic targeting and translational opportunities
• Molecules that modulate chemotaxis via the ETosis-autophagy pathway
• Disease models and clinical implications