Micronutrients, Immunity and Infection: Volume II

Given the outstanding impact of 'Micronutrients, Immunity and Infection’, Frontiers in Nutrition is happy to launch Volume II of this successful Research Topic.

Many micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) have clearly identified roles in supporting the function of cells of the immune system. People with micronutrient deficiencies often have immune impairments and are susceptible to infections, and to infections being severe, even fatal. In such individuals, micronutrient supplements can reverse immune impairments and reduce the risk of infections. Nevertheless, the relationships between micronutrient status, immunity, and infection are complex: some micronutrients that are required by the immune system, such as iron, can also increase the risk of certain infections, probably because those micronutrients favor pathogen growth and survival. Furthermore, the acute-phase response to infections alters micronutrient metabolism. This makes understanding the relationship between micronutrient status and infection more complicated. COVID-19 increased interest in micronutrients, including vitamins C and D and zinc, among others, in the context of immunity and infection, but the findings of different studies have been inconsistent, highlighting the complexity of this field.

This Research Topic welcomes manuscript submissions on micronutrients, immunity, and infection. These may include mechanistic studies conducted in controlled settings, such as in cell culture or experimental animals; human epidemiological studies; and trials in human participants and patients evaluating relationships between micronutrient exposure, immune outcomes, infection, and the underlying mechanisms.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: micronutrients, immunity, infection, COVID-19, zinc, iron, vitamin D, vitamins

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.