The immune system detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, playing a key role in protecting the host from infections.   The immune system can be divided into two main subsystems: the innate immune system and adaptive immune system.   The innate immune system is an older evolutionary defense strategy and exists in all species;   it is the first layer of protection for the host and can respond to broad pathogens in a generic immediate, but non-specific way.   The adaptive immune system has a stronger immune response as well as immunological memory;   it is also highly specific to particular pathogens that the host has encountered.

This Column of Microbes & Immunityaims to publish high-quality contributions, including original research and review papers, covering all aspects of immune responses and immune defense against pathogens.

Subject Areas include but are not limited to:

Innate and adaptive immunity to infection
Cell-mediated immunity
Immune response against pathogens
Immune defense mechanisms
Immunological memory
Immune evasion
Autoimmune disease
Inflammation
Immunodeficiencies
Tumor-Immune Interactions
Tumor-Immune Dynamics