Editorial: Molecular perspectives on host-pathogen interactions in immune evasion, viral replication, and pathogenesis

Nitin Sharma, Ganaie Safder S., Deepak Kumar, Chandrabose Selvaraj

Pathogens have evolved sophisticated strategies to hijack host cellular machinery to establish productive infection and promote disease. A comprehensive understanding of host-pathogen interactions is central to infectious disease research as it reveals the molecular mechanisms by which pathogens invade host cells, manipulate cellular signalling networks and evade host immune response to drive infection. It offers the intricate understanding at the level of molecular dynamics that are involved in pathogenesis. Despite remarkable advances in biology, immunology, systems medicine, and structural biology, a significant knowledge gap remains in our understanding of the key pathogenic processes including, microbial entry, viral replication, immune evasion and pathogen induced tissue damage.The Research Topic, "Molecular Perspectives on Host-Pathogen Interactions in Immune Evasion, Viral Replication, and Pathogenesis" address these key questions and brings together studies that elucidate emerging molecular mechanisms underlying infectious diseases, pathogen-driven pathologies and innovative therapeutic strategies. The contributing articles span diverse disciplines such immunology, systems biology, nanotechnology, natural-product pharmacology, transcriptomics, RNA biology, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence reflecting the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of infectious diseases research. The present report majorly focuses on the molecular interplay between the host-pathogen interaction and cellular system to provide important insights into the integrated understanding and support the development of next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics and preventive strategies.Mecocci et al. employed integrated transcriptomic profiling to investigate equine sarcoids associated predominantly with bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1). They have identified the broad alterations in gene and microRNA expression patterns, novel chimeric transcripts, oncogenic signalling pathways that are potentially involved in viral infection-driven tumorigenesis. These findings offer a valuable insight into hostpathogen interactions at the transcriptional level for deep understanding of virusassociated oncogenic mechanisms (1). In the review article, Radhamanalan, illustrated the complexity of host-microbe interactions and explored the precision oral microbiome engineering via postbiotic and bacteriophage-based interventions targeting the Streptococcus mutans in dental caries. The integration of multi-omics approaches, system biology and microbiome ecology highlights the promising approaches aimed at restoring microbial homeostasis while retains the population of beneficial microbes. Such precision-based applications demonstrate the vital transition from broad spectrum of antimicrobial therapies concerning targeted ecosystem-based interventions (2). The study carried out by Garg et al., evaluates the combination of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology for next-generation viral diagnostics and surveillance of pathogen. The integration of recent advances like machine learning algorithms with nanotechnology approaches including nano-sensors, lab-on-chip technologies provides the favourable opportunities for rapid, scalable and sensitive viral detection. Such innovative findings show the potential to transform public health preparedness by using outbreak prediction, real-time monitoring and personalized diagnostic solutions (3). Wang et al. reported the comprehensive overview of basic molecular regulation of and interaction between small RNAs and R-loops. They have overviewed the molecular entities associated with regulation of gene expression, genome stability and DNA repair processes. Importantly, the dysregulation of these pathways is involved in genomic instability, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer progression. The evolving connection of disease pathogenesis and RNA-mediated regulation underscores the emerging importance of RNA biology in infectious diseases. The emergence of immune regulation is another key concept across this collection (4). Zong et al. investigate the dual immune-modulatory regulation of microglia during viral encephalitis, which demonstrated the capacity of both protective and detrimental antiviral effects on neuroinflammatory responses. The authors highlighted the significance of heterogeneity of microglial activation and emphasized the therapeutic modulation aimed at preserving neuroprotection while limiting tissue damage. The current review discussed the complexity of immune response within central nervous system while viral infection and infection-associate pathology (5). Chandra et al. providing a detail review on coagulopathy in viral haemorrhagic fever, including Marburg, Lassa fever, Ebola, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. The authors explained how the viral infection influence the endothelial dysfunction, tissue facto activation, cytokine storms and platelet abnormalities. In addition, they have discussed the disseminated intravascular coagulations and dysregulation of fibrinolysis, importantly they highlight the emerging therapeutic applications targeting coagulation pathways, inflammatory mediators and endothelial injury, to investigate the mechanism involved in novel clinical interventions. The review clearly discuss the pathogen-directed therapies also highlights the therapeutic potential of bioactive small molecules form natural sources (6). He et al. reported the comprehensive review on catapol, a plant derived iridoid glycoside from Rehmannia glutinosa, they have summarized the anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant, neuroprotective and metabolic regulatory properties of iridoid glycoside. In addition, they have discussed the recent advances in drug delivery system and clinical development, which demonstrate how the novel therapeutic innovations are integrated into traditional natural products in the modern translational medicine (7). Collectively, the contributions in the current research topic underscored the importance of integrating molecular biology, computational science, immunology and translational research to better understand infectious disease and their wide range of pathological consequences. Whether examining viral oncogenesis, immune dysregulation, genome stability, advanced diagnostics, or natural product therapeutics, each contribution deepens our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and disease mechanisms. The application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine, single-cell biology, multiomics will continue to advance the field and encourage interdisciplinary innovation. We hope this research topic stimulates future research and inspires innovative strategies for understanding and treating infectious diseases.