Respiratory viruses (RVs), including but not limited to influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronavirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and human metapneumovirus, can lead to severe diseases including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, or/and to exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Given that vaccines are not available for RVs other than influenza virus, there is a critical need for development of effective therapies limiting the severity of inflammation caused by RV infection.

Lung airway epithelial cells and mucosal immune cells are the primary cells for RVs. Following viral infection, these cells generate a range of mediators, including type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which not only have pivotal roles in virus control but also determine the development of inflammation and disease. Thus, elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of host innate and inflammatory response to RVs will provide insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit viral infection and prevent aberrant inflammation.

We cordially invite researchers to contribute original research articles as well as review articles in respiratory viruses-elicited innate and inflammatory responses. This calls for improved understanding of the pathogenesis of RVs and the consequences of host innate and inflammatory responses. This special issue will cover basic, translational, and clinical research addressing RV-related infectious diseases and inflammatory diseases.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• RV-elicited or RV-exacerbated respiratory diseases, including, but not limited to, influenza, RSV, asthma, common cold, croup, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Molecular mechanisms by which RVs induce innate and inflammatory responses
• Common denominators between different RVs and the immune response towards them
• Pathogenesis and interaction of RVs and respiratory bacteria
• RNA-seq or cDNA arrays analysis of inflammatory gene expression caused by RVs
• Translational study and clinical therapeutics for RVs and inflammation
• Meta-analysis of the innate immune and inflammation caused by RVs