Improving Immune Responses to Respiratory Viral Infections: What Do We Need to Advance?

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Infection Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 4782

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Health and Life Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: respiratory virus; innate immune response; antiviral response; adaptative immune response; host-pathogen interaction; microbiota

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health and Life Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: immunology; microbiota; dietary fibers; respiratory syncytial virus

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Respiratory viral infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Immune responses to respiratory viruses play essential roles in either preventing the disease or leading to immunopathology. The respiratory tract is a complex environment and mucosal immunity is orchestrated by different immune cell types which are involved in antiviral responses. Key aspects of immune responses to respiratory viral infections were uncovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a better understanding of the host–pathogen interactions which lead to our innate and adaptative immunoprotective responses is needed to improve current and future immunotherapy approaches.

This special issue aims to published reviews, research papers or communications about respiratory virus infections focosing in how to improve the immuneprotective responses. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Innate immune response against respiratory virus
  • Adaptative immune response against respiratory virus
  • Vaccine immune response agaisnt respiratory virus
  • Host-pathogen interaction during respiratory viral infection and the immune response

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Ana Paula Duarte De Souza
Dr. Krist Helen Antunes
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • respiratory viruses
  • innate immune response
  • adaptative immune response
  • respiratory tract
  • antiviral immune response
  • mucosal immune responses

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

18 pages, 2536 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Immune Response against RSV and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children
by Rafaela Pires da Silva, Bibiana Liberman Thomé and Ana Paula Duarte da Souza
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091223 - 9 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
Viral respiratory tract infections are a significant public health concern, particularly in children. RSV is a prominent cause of lower respiratory tract infections among infants, whereas SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic with lower overall severity in children than in adults. In this [...] Read more.
Viral respiratory tract infections are a significant public health concern, particularly in children. RSV is a prominent cause of lower respiratory tract infections among infants, whereas SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic with lower overall severity in children than in adults. In this review, we aimed to compare the innate and adaptive immune responses induced by RSV and SARS-CoV-2 to better understand differences in the pathogenesis of infection. Some studies have demonstrated that children present a more robust immune response against SARS-CoV-2 than adults; however, this response is dissimilar to that of RSV. Each virus has a distinctive mechanism to escape the immune response. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences is crucial for developing effective treatments and improving the management of pediatric respiratory infections. Full article
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15 pages, 1293 KiB  
Review
Breaking Bad: Inflammasome Activation by Respiratory Viruses
by Julia A. Cerato, Emanuelle F. da Silva and Barbara N. Porto
Biology 2023, 12(7), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12070943 - 1 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2034
Abstract
The nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor (NLR) family is a group of intracellular sensors activated in response to harmful stimuli, such as invading pathogens. Some NLR family members form large multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes, acting as a platform for activating the caspase-1-induced [...] Read more.
The nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor (NLR) family is a group of intracellular sensors activated in response to harmful stimuli, such as invading pathogens. Some NLR family members form large multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes, acting as a platform for activating the caspase-1-induced canonical inflammatory pathway. The canonical inflammasome pathway triggers the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 by the rapid rupture of the plasma cell membrane, subsequently causing an inflammatory cell death program known as pyroptosis, thereby halting viral replication and removing infected cells. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of inflammasome activation in the response against respiratory viral infections, such as influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While inflammasome activity can contribute to the resolution of respiratory virus infections, dysregulated inflammasome activity can also exacerbate immunopathology, leading to tissue damage and hyperinflammation. In this review, we summarize how different respiratory viruses trigger inflammasome pathways and what harmful effects the inflammasome exerts along with its antiviral immune response during viral infection in the lungs. By understanding the crosstalk between invading pathogens and inflammasome regulation, new therapeutic strategies can be exploited to improve the outcomes of respiratory viral infections. Full article
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