Inter-organ Crosstalk and its Pharmacological Modulation During Systemic Inflammation

Systemic inflammation induces coordinated and highly dynamic communication between organs. This Research Topic focuses on the molecular mechanisms that mediate this inter-organ crosstalk, including cytokines, lipid mediators, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Emerging evidence shows that inflammatory networks are not confined to single organs but are shaped by organotropism, immune-metabolic coupling, and feedback loops that connect local tissue responses with systemic adaptation or failure. Such systemic communication is also observed in tumor-associated inflammation, where malignant tissues release cytokines, metabolites, and EVs that influence distant organ function and immune homeostasis.

Particular emphasis will be placed on:

Extracellular vesicles as long-distance messengers, including EV cargo selection, EV-driven metastatic niche formation, immune regulatory functions, and their contribution to organ dysfunction.

Lipid mediator and eicosanoid signaling networks that integrate local inflammation with systemic responses, including pharmacological targeting of COX/LOX pathways and receptor-selective interventions.

Metabolite-driven systemic communication, including metabolic rewiring and immunometabolic control during acute and chronic inflammation.

Multi-omics and systems-level approaches to map organ-to-organ signaling, identify biomarkers of early organ dysfunction, and define mechanistic nodes suitable for therapeutic intervention.

We invite contributions from basic, translational, and clinical research that dissect mechanistic pathways of inter-organ communication and explore pharmacological or genetic strategies to modulate such networks. Articles using integrative multi-omics, advanced EV analytics, systems pharmacology, or organ-specific disease models are highly encouraged. Dr. Meike Saul is CSO of CURNOVA miRNA Technology GmbH, and receives research funding by Merck KGaA.