Dear Colleagues,

The importance of exercise for the wellbeing of the immune system was described by some researchers as early as the 1970s. Regular physical activity is essential in increasing the ability of the body to counteract infections, despite an initial, transient, exercise-induced immunosuppression. Exercise can induce stress-like responses in organisms, similar to those observed after sepsis and trauma. These physical–clinical stressors induce mechanical, metabolic, and hormonal responses to maintain homeostasis. As a part of its process, the immune system is affected by acute and chronic adaptations, leading to adjustments in the inflammatory response and the response of leucocytes. Such cells are responsive to hormones, as well as to cytokines, to maintain their constant communication with the skeletal muscle. More recently, proteins similar to cytokines—myokines—have been discovered to be produced and released by the skeletal muscle itself during physical exercise. These molecules have autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine functions, and help in performing the regulation of the immunometabolism, thanks to their ability to induce significant metabolic, energetic, and hormonal changes. In this Special Issue, we intend to collect original articles and reviews describing the important roles of myokines in the complex communication between the skeletal muscle and the immune system, and their role in modulating immune system activation.

Prof. Dr. Mirko Pesce
Prof. Dr. Antonia Patruno
Dr. Teresa Paolucci
Guest Editors

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• myokines
• cytokines
• inflammation
• skeletal muscle
• immune system