Adaptive Mucosal Immunity in the Female Reproductive Tract

This Research Topic explores the intersection of immunology and women’s health, with a particular emphasis on infectious diseases and immune responses in women. It focuses on how sex hormones, genetic factors, and microbial environments shape immune function across the female lifespan. Women generally exhibit stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than men, which can enhance protection against infections but also influence disease progression, immune-mediated pathology, and response to treatment.

This Research Topic also examines immunological responses to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which disproportionately affect women due to both biological and social factors. The female reproductive tract represents a unique mucosal immune environment where pathogens such as Human immunodeficiency virus infection, Human papillomavirus infection, and Chlamydia trachomatis infection interact with host immune defences. Understanding local immune responses, including mucosal immunity and epithelial barrier function, is critical for improving prevention and treatment strategies.

An important and emerging area within this field is the role of the microbiome, particularly the vaginal and gut microbiota, in modulating immune responses. Microbial communities influence susceptibility to infections, immune activation, and inflammation. Dysbiosis, or imbalance in these microbial populations, has been associated with conditions such as Bacterial vaginosis and may increase the risk of acquiring STIs. The interaction between the microbiome and the immune system is therefore a key factor in maintaining reproductive health and preventing disease.

Additionally, this Research Topic considers sex-based differences in immune responses to infectious diseases and vaccination, as highlighted during COVID-19. Women often generate stronger immune responses, which can influence both protective immunity and the likelihood of adverse reactions.

A central component of this Research Topic is the role of hormonal regulation in immune responses. Estrogen and progesterone influence immune cell activation, cytokine production, and inflammatory signaling pathways, with significant implications during key physiological stages such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. During pregnancy, the immune system must maintain tolerance to the fetus while preserving defense against pathogens; disruption of this balance can lead to complications such as Pre-eclampsia.

Overall, this Research Topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between hormonal regulation, immune function, microbial ecosystems, and infectious disease susceptibility in women. Insights from this Research Topic may inform the development of targeted therapies, improved vaccines, and personalized approaches to managing autoimmune diseases, reproductive health conditions, and sexually transmitted infections.

This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methods articles. We invite contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Adaptive and mucosal immune responses in the female reproductive tract
• Hormonal regulation of immunity across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause
• Host immune responses to STIs, including HIV, HPV, and Chlamydia trachomatis
• The role of the vaginal and gut microbiome in modulating immune function and infection susceptibility
• Sex-based differences in immunity, vaccine responses, and immune-mediated pathology
• Immunological mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications such as Pre-eclampsia
• Translational insights informing targeted therapies, vaccines, and personalized treatment strategies in women’s health

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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... 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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Mucosal Immunity, Female Reproductive Tract, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Vaginal Microbiome, Sex Hormones, Adaptive Immunity, Sex-Based Differences, Women’s Health, Infectious Diseases, Hormonal Regulation

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.