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Call for papers - Barrier immunology

Guest Editor

Hernán Peñaloza, PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 23 August 2025

BMC Immunology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Barrier immunology, emphasizing the crucial interplay between the immune system and various barriers, such as skin, mucosal surfaces, and anatomical boundaries. We seek groundbreaking work that explores novel strategies, interventions, and best practices in deciphering immune responses at the frontline of defense. The Collection aims to shed light on diverse aspects of barrier immunology, encouraging submissions covering themes like barrier-specific immune responses, the microbiome's role, immunopathology, vaccination strategies, autoimmune conditions, and translational approaches.



New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Meet the Guest Editor

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Hernán Peñaloza, PhD, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

Hernán Peñaloza earned a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile under the mentorship of Dr Susan Bueno. In 2022, Dr Peñaloza completed his first postdoctoral training at Dr Janet Lee’s Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. Following this, Dr Peñaloza completed a second postdoctoral fellowship at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2023. He currently serves as an assistant professor at the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine at the institution. His research focuses on identifying the mechanisms employed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to amplify inflammation and lung damage, as well as studying host strategies that regulate lung inflammation.

About the Collection

BMC Immunology is excited to announce our forthcoming Collection on Barrier immunology. The intricate interplay between the immune system and various barriers, such as skin, mucosal surfaces, and other anatomical boundaries, is of paramount importance in understanding and addressing a myriad of health challenges. We invite researchers to contribute their groundbreaking work that delves into the complexities of barrier immunology, exploring novel strategies, interventions, and best practices in deciphering immune responses at the frontline of defense.

This Collection aims to illuminate diverse facets of barrier immunology, and we encourage submissions that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  • Barrier-specific immune responses: in-depth investigations into the immune mechanisms operating at different barriers, including skin, mucosa, and epithelial linings
  • Microbiome: exploration of the intricate relationship between the microbiome and the immune system at various barriers, highlighting the role of symbiotic interactions in maintaining homeostasis
  • Immunopathology: understanding the immunological basis of diseases affecting barriers, with a focus on identifying potential therapeutic targets for intervention
  • Innovations in vaccination strategies: advancements in vaccine development that target specific barriers, offering new perspectives on enhancing immune protection against infectious agents
  • Barrier dysfunction in autoimmune conditions: investigating the link between barrier integrity and autoimmune diseases, with a focus on deciphering the role of immune dysregulation in barrier breakdown
  • Translational approaches: bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications, with a spotlight on translating findings into tangible solutions for improving patient outcomes
     

This Collection aligns with the global imperative of understanding and fortifying barrier immunity, contributing to the advancement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Image credit: © Eraxion / Getty Images / iStock

  1. Seronegative Hashimoto's thyroiditis is often underdiagnosed due to the lack of antibody markers. Combining ultrasound radiomics with machine learning offers potential for early detection in patients with norm...

    Authors: Wenjun Wu, Shengsheng Yao, Daming Liu, Yuan Luo, Yihan Sun, Ting Ruan, Mengyou Liu, Li Shi, Chang Liu, Mingming Xiao, Qi Zhang, Zhengshuai Liu, Xingai Ju, Jiahao Wang, Xiang Fei, Li Lu…
    Citation: BMC Immunology 2025 26:27
    Content type: Research Published on:

  2. Recent research advancements have enhanced our understanding of the lymphatic system in the eye and nasal region and its involvement in health and disease. The eye is an anatomical extension of the central ner...

    Authors: Min Yan, Lu Cheng, Zheng Zheng, Yuanxi Lin, Doudou Qin and Hui Chen
    Citation: BMC Immunology 2025 26:16
    Content type: Review Published on:

  3. The OP9 culture system is an important in vitro model for B cell development. However, the complex nature of operations and the intrinsic variability of stromal cell functionality, which can be influenced by f...

    Authors: Pan Yang, Xiaoling Chen, Hao Wen, Meiling Yu, Haili Yu, Li Wang, Liang Gong and Lintao Zhao
    Citation: BMC Immunology 2025 26:12
    Content type: Research Published on:

  4. IBD is a condition that may result from the presence of oxidative stress. The objective of this research is to evaluate and compare the potency of probiotics and paraprobiotics to modulate oxidative stress and...

    Authors: Niloofar Rezaie, Shadi Aghamohammad, Elham Haj Agha Gholizadeh Khiavi, Mohammad Reza Pourshafie, Malihe Talebi and Mahdi Rohani
    Citation: BMC Immunology 2024 25:85
    Content type: Research Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select Barrier immunology from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.