Abstract
For more than a century, studies of Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins have helped propel major advances in knowledge of mechanisms mediating innate immune recognition, responses and resolution. While the revelations of the last two decades have underscored the diversity of ‘danger’-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger innate immune responses, the abundance and near ubiquity of endotoxins and their remarkable potency continue to distinguish these unique glycolipids. These properties have sustained and expanded interest in the potential beneficial and harmful roles of endotoxins in an increasing array of physiologic and patho-physiologic settings. Progress during this time in the structural analyses of endotoxin molecules from an increasing array of Gram-negative bacteria, and in genetic and biochemical mechanisms leading to biogenesis of structurally distinct endotoxins, have revealed novel aspects of bacterial evolution and adaptation, and have helped guide the design and development of new immune modulators.
The mission of the International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society (IEIIS), as that of the International Endotoxin Society, which preceded the IEIIS, is to promote the exchange of ideas and new data among investigators of endotoxin biology and innate immunity, and to support and promote the career development of our younger and more junior colleagues. Key to our society’s evolution has been the role that endotoxin-related research played in the discovery and characterization of innate immune recognition and response systems directed not just at Gram-negative bacteria but at all microbe- and danger-associated perturbations of homeostasis.
Our society is distinguished by its global international membership and unique in its integrated focus on the chemistry, biology, physiology and translational biology of microbe (pathogen)-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs and PAMPs) and DAMPs, including, but not limited to, Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins, and their interactions with innate immune recognition and response systems.
Our efforts to meet our mission are manifest in many ways, including sponsorship of this journal, Innate Immunity, as a vehicle for review and publication of articles related to MAMPs/PAMPs/DAMPs and/or innate immunity and (co-) sponsorship of regional, national and international meetings. The latter is exemplified by the satellite symposium on ‘Endotoxin, TLR4 signaling, and Beyond’ held last month in Milan, Italy, in advance of the 15th International Congress on Immunology, and next year’s joint meeting of the Society of Leukocyte Biology and IEIIS in Salt Lake City, UT, USA, which will represent the XIII biennial international meeting of the IEIIS. Of equal importance are the more dynamic interactions now possible via the IEIIS website (www.IEIIS.org). Through this site we can trumpet our research accomplishments, in particular those of our younger colleagues, advertise and highlight upcoming and recent meetings and links of interest, post career opportunities and aspirations, and communicate and debate our often distinct points of view.
The function and impact of the IEIIS depends on the participation and engagement of its members and of the broader scientific community that have and/or are currently advancing endotoxin- and innate immunity-related research. These efforts are greatly enhanced and provided clearer context by the reflections of the Honorary Life Members of the IEIIS whose seminal contributions paved the way for today’s and tomorrow’s new discoveries. I look forward to hearing and seeing even more of you.