Innate and Adaptive Immune Response against Human Herpesviruses

Dear Colleagues,

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) represent a prominent family of enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses, which belong to the Herpesviridae family and are classified into three subfamilies: alpha, beta and gamma herpesviruses. HHVs are widely investigated as they mainly cause cutaneous disease and multiple pathologic abnormalities, and even have oncogenic properties. HHVs are known for their remarkable capacity to establish lifelong latent infections in human hosts, evading host immune surveillance through sophisticated mechanisms. The replication cycle of HHVs involves a meticulously orchestrated series of events, including attachment, entry, nuclear translocation, viral genome replication, gene expression, assembly and egress. These processes are regulated by several viral proteins and interactions with host cellular machinery. The immune system employs both innate and adaptive immunity as fundamental defense mechanisms against infections. Innate immune cells utilize pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate an inflammatory response. On the other hand, adaptive immunity relies on the recognition of antigens by B and T cells, leading to the generation of specific immune responses. Among these responses, effector cells such as T helper cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes play pivotal roles in effectively combating infections.

To enhance our understanding of immune system processes, ongoing research is necessary, focusing on several key areas: firstly, investigating the mechanisms by which HHVs trigger host programmed cell death, in turn being eliminated by the host immune response, and how HHVs counteract host innate immunity to evade inducing cell death, representing a crucial area of research; secondly, delving into the role of host immunity in the mechanisms underlying virus latency and reactivation, which holds the potential for providing valuable clinical insights into preventing and treating reinfections, particularly in immunocompromised populations; and lastly, engineering immune cells to mount potent responses against infections holds great promise and merits dedicated investigation. By conducting specialized research in these areas, we can bolster immune responses and develop more effective strategies to combat HHVs. To achieve these purposes, we cordially invite contributions of original articles or reviews.

Dr. Chaoran Yin
Dr. Ting Zhang
Guest Editors

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• innate immune response
• adaptive immune response
• herpesvirus
• cellular immune response
• humoral immune response
• inflammatory response
• pathogen
• virus