Guest Editors
Prof. Chi-Chen Lin
Email: lincc@email.nchu.edu.tw
Affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Science, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Research Interests: natural products, immune cell modulation, immunopharmacology, animal models, immune-related diseases, inflammation
Summary
Natural and synthetic small molecules have emerged as powerful modulators of immune cell functions, influencing key processes such as activation, differentiation, migration, cytokine secretion, and intercellular communication. By targeting intracellular signaling and receptor-mediated pathways, these molecules offer valuable tools to dissect immune mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Both naturally derived compounds (e.g., phytochemicals, microbial metabolites) and rationally designed synthetic agents have shown the ability to precisely regulate immune cell subsets such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Understanding the cellular and molecular basis of these interactions is critical for advancing our knowledge of immune regulation in health and in diseases like cancer, autoimmunity, infection, and chronic inflammation.
This special issue aims to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which natural and synthetic small molecules regulate immune cell behavior, and their implications in disease pathogenesis and therapy. We invite both original research and review articles addressing the following key topics:
1. Modulation of Immune Cell Functions by Small Molecules
Regulatory effects on T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and NK cells
Mechanisms of action in immune activation, polarization, or suppression
2. Signal Transduction Pathways Affected by Small Molecules
Modulation of pathways such as NF-B, JAK-STAT, MAPK, and PI3K-AKT
Crosstalk between signaling networks influenced by small molecules
3. Natural Products as Immunomodulators
Mechanistic studies of standardized herbal formulations or purified bioactive compounds (e.g., flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids) from botanical, microbial, or marine origins
Immunomodulatory roles in inflammation, infection, and tumor immunity, with emphasis on well-defined molecular targets and structureactivity relationships
4. Synthetic Molecules and Immunotherapy
Design and characterization of synthetic compounds targeting immune responses
Structureactivity relationship and therapeutic potential
5. Immune Microenvironment and Small Molecule Interactions
Impact on immune cell communication and microenvironmental remodeling
Modulation of tumor immunity and inflammatory niches
6. Mechanism Insights in Disease Models
Small molecule regulation in cancer, autoimmune diseases, infections, and chronic inflammatory conditions
Identification of disease-relevant immune targets and biomarkers
7. Omics and High-Throughput Approaches
Application of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and chemical biology
Systems-level analysis of small moleculeimmune cell interactions
8. Translational and Therapeutic Perspectives
Preclinical or clinical studies of small molecule-based immune modulation
Emerging strategies for targeted immunotherapy or immune restoration
The goal of this special issue is to highlight the most recent advances in our understanding of how natural and synthetic small molecules modulate immune cell functions through defined cellular and molecular pathways. By connecting fundamental insights with translational relevance, this issue will contribute to the development of novel immunomodulatory strategies for treating a wide range of immune-related diseases.
Keywords
small molecules, immunomodulation, natural products, synthetic compounds, immune cell functions, signal transduction, cancer immunotherapy, inflammation
Published Papers
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