Guest Editors
Assoc. Prof. Petr Slama
Email: petr.slama@mendelu.cz
Affiliation: Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, 61300, Brno, Czech Republic
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Research Interests: phytonutrients, apoptosis, dendritic cell, mastittis, cancer
Summary
The immune system is a highly dynamic and complex defense network, tightly regulated by cellular and molecular mechanisms that maintain host integrity and respond to disease threats. Recent studies have revealed that phytonutrientsparticularly phytochemicals and plant-derived monomeric compoundspossess significant immunomodulatory potential. These natural products have been shown to affect immune cell activation, cytokine production, signal transduction, and metabolic reprogramming, offering promising therapeutic prospects for various immune-related diseases. However, the precise mechanisms through which these compounds regulate immune responses at the cellular level remain incompletely understood.
This special issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which specific phytonutrients influence immune function, with an emphasis on signaling pathways, epigenetic regulation, and cell-cell communication within the immune network. The goal is to bridge natural product research with cellular immunology and uncover novel therapeutic targets in the context of inflammation, infection, cancer, and immune dysregulation.
We welcome original research and review articles that focus on the cellular and molecular biology of immune modulation by phytonutrients, including but not limited to:
1. Cellular Targets and Mechanisms of Action of Phytonutrients
· Modulation of immune cell subsets (T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells) by plant-derived monomers.
· Regulation of cytokine production and secretion through natural compounds.
· Epigenetic modifications induced by phytonutrients (e.g., histone acetylation, DNA methylation, miRNAs, lncRNAs).
· Single-cell or spatial transcriptomic approaches to dissect immune heterogeneity under phytonutrient influence.
2. Key Signaling Pathways Modulated by Phytonutrients
· NF-B, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and PI3K/AKT pathways in inflammation and immune activation.
· Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense in immune regulation.
· Crosstalk between immune-regulatory signaling pathways and plant-derived compounds.
· Inhibition of immune checkpoints (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1 axis) by specific phytochemicals.
3. Immune System and Disease Contexts
· Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of phytonutrients in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
· Immunostimulatory effects in anti-tumor and anti-infective settings.
· Role of gut microbiota-mediated metabolism of phytonutrients in shaping immune responses.
· Phytochemicals as adjuvants in immunotherapy or vaccination strategies.
4. Metabolic and Cellular Adaptation in Immune Cells
· Phytonutrient-driven metabolic reprogramming (e.g., glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation) in immune cells.
· Impact on mitochondrial function, redox balance, and cellular bioenergetics.
· Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics to understand nutrient-immune signaling.
5. Experimental Models and Translational Potential
· Use of in vitro immune cell culture systems and co-culture models to study phytochemical mechanisms.
· 3D culture, organoids, and microfluidic immune models incorporating plant-derived compounds.
· High-throughput screening of phytochemicals for immune activity.
· CRISPR/Cas9 and omics-based discovery of phytonutrient targets in immune regulation.
By focusing on the cellular and molecular underpinnings of phytonutrient-induced immune modulation, this special issue seeks to provide novel insights into how natural compounds can be harnessed for disease prevention and treatment. We encourage submissions that use well-characterized plant-derived monomers, robust mechanistic approaches, and innovative cellular models to advance translational research in immunopharmacology.
Keywords
phytonutrients, phytochemicals, immune modulation, signaling pathways, cytokines, epigenetic regulation, immune metabolism, natural products, cellular mechanisms, inflammation, cancer immunology
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