Opportunities

Call for papers: Immune mechanisms in arthritis

This cross-journal collection welcomes original research articles spanning basic, translational, and clinical studies that explore the immune mechanisms influencing arthritis pathogenesis. Submissions are encouraged by 07 August 2026.

What is this collection about?

Arthritis encompasses a range of inflammatory joint disorders, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis, which significantly impact patient quality of life and pose a considerable burden on healthcare systems. The immune system plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of these conditions, with both innate and adaptive immune responses contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. Understanding the immune mechanisms that drive arthritis is crucial for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

In recognition of the importance of this research to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, this cross-journal collection welcomes original research articles spanning basic, translational, and clinical studies that explore the immune mechanisms influencing arthritis pathogenesis. Nature Immunology, Nature Communications and Communications Biology will consider original Articles, Reviews and Perspectives. Scientific Reports will consider original Articles. 

Why submit to this collection?

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors and In-House Editors who are experts in their fields and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

This is a cross-journal collection between Communications Biology, Nature Immunology, Nature Communications, and Scientific Reports. Authors are welcome to submit to any of the participating journals. All manuscripts published in the collection are hosted on a dedicated nature portfolio portal, giving articles high visibility beyond the journal they are published in.

Who is involved?

Shafaq Sikandar, PhD, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom

Professor Shafaq Sikandar is the group leader of the Sensory Neurophysiology lab at the William Harvey Research Institute of Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. Her research training was based on rodent and human models to study the neurophysiology of pain and she now runs preclinical and clinical programmes of research in cancer pain, fibromyalgia, post-operative pain and arthritis pain.

 

Communications Biology is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members. Dr. Shafaq Sikandar will act as guest editors for submissions to Communications Biology.

Nature Communications is edited by in-house professional editors.

Nature Immunology is edited by in-house professional editors.

Scientific Reports is managed by in-house professional editors and edited by Editorial Board Members.

Our editors work closely together to ensure the quality of our published papers and consistency in author experience.

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.