In the previous issue, we finalized our journey to explore NF-kB as an enticing pathway from multiple points of view, pertaining to basic, translational, and clinical aspects in inflammation and cancer. We concluded that, while the progress in this area has been significant and promising, there is much to do to leverage this key target and signaling path at multiple levels. Overall, the progress in this area suggested that the field is fully mature to move beyond the paradigm “one disease/one target” to a systems biology-driven effort having the signaling network at its core. The consequences on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of disease and designing new therapeutic platforms will be vast; yet, this seems to be one of the most viable strategies to translate the vast “genomics” information to practical solutions in diagnostics and drug development.
With this issue, International Reviews of Immunology is ready to renew its focus on a matter intimately linked with traditional immunology: progress and challenges in vaccinology. We are pleased to host three articles highly relevant to efforts in developing vaccines or immunotherapies against three categories of pathogens on major global interest: influenza viruses, Hepatitis B virus, and HIV. First, Drs. Ilynskii, Thoidis, and Shneider discuss the status of global efforts in developing new and effective vaccines against highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, heralding a focus in the upcoming issues of International Reviews of Immunology on innovative vaccines. In this article, the authors outline efforts, building on previous and new platform technologies. Despite considerable progress in this area, a highly effective, cross-reactive vaccine against avian flu viruses remains elusive. The authors take a unique opportunity to discuss scientific, political, and economical barriers against development of new vaccines against influenza. In another article, with clinical immunology focus, Dr. Yang and collaborators discuss the complex significance of anti-Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies, with emphasis on their findings regarding the antibody isotypes. While anti-HBVe antibodies have been generally associated with successful recovery from infection, the anti-HBVc antibodies were associated with chronic, persisting infection and hepatitis. The authors detail the tantalizing difference in the anti-HBV IgG isotype subclass patterns in populations with different infectious status. Since the isotype subclass governs the nature of the immune effector mechanisms deployed, this may have implications to the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic approaches against HBV. In the third article of the special topic, vaccinology, Dr. Girard and collaborators discuss a highly interesting and timely subject: where are the current efforts on redeveloping effective HIV vaccines. There is much to be learned from past experience and failures, but the key question remains: how to translate this knowledge base to innovative approaches that will lead to successful avenues ahead? The authors' critical and constructive view offers a fresh new look at this classical problem in immunology and vaccinology.
Three general articles in this issue of International Reviews of Immunology offer interesting perspectives in three different areas, with basic and translational significance. Drs. Bona and Bhogal review their tantalizing evidence on the potential role of two Th2 cytokines—IL-4 and IL-13—in the pathogenesis of scleroderma via excessive stimulation of collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. This article positions strategically the authors' findings relative to the state of the art, bridging the concept of the research article with that of a classical review. In another article, Dr. Irshad and collaborators offer an updated perspective on the immunology of Hepatitis C virus, a major pathogen of global significance, yet to benefit from modern drug and vaccine development. The authors outline key aspects of the immune pathogenesis with likely implications to pathways resulting in successful approaches to mitigate this global threat, and herald our journal's renewed focus in the volumes to come. Finally, Dr. Kuo and collaborators reviewed the pros and cons of umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternate source of stem cells for bone marrow transplantation and proposed an interesting therapeutic application for IL-15. This cytokine has been contemplated for a while as an immune adjuvant with potent IL-2-like T-cell stimulating effects, devoid of Treg expansion capabilities. The authors proposed the use of IL-15 in conjunction with UCB stem cell transplantation to overcome the transient immune deficiency associated with this procedure, expedite the recovery, and amplify a graft-versus-leukemia effect.
In the following issues, we will continue our journey in the world of modern vaccinology with relevance to a broader range of microbes. In addition, we will cover additional diverse topics, with focus on (i) basic and developmental immunology, (ii) translational research, and (iii) clinical immunology. We remain open to outside suggestions on specific reviews and topic series that may be of interest to our readership.