Aims & Scope
The Journal of Autoimmunity is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by Directive Publications that advances research across the full spectrum of autoimmunity and clinical immunology. The journal disseminates original scholarship on the breakdown of immune self-tolerance and the resulting systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases, serving immunologists, rheumatologists, clinical investigators, and translational scientists worldwide.
We welcome work on systemic autoimmune rheumatic conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome, alongside organ-specific disorders including autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, coeliac disease, and autoimmune skin disease. Mechanistic studies of epitope spreading, autoantibodies, innate and adaptive immunity, and molecular mimicry are central to our remit, as are investigations of environmental and infectious triggers, including COVID-19, Helicobacter pylori, and drug-induced autoimmunity.
The journal also prioritizes diagnosis, classification, biomarkers, epidemiology, and therapeutics, from validation of SLICC and EULAR/ACR criteria to biologic and TNF-inhibitor strategies. We publish original research, systematic reviews, case reports, and editorials.
Every submission undergoes double-blind peer review. Accepted articles are published open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) licence with authors retaining copyright, receive a permanent Crossref DOI, and are made discoverable through OpenAlex, Google Scholar, and an OAI-PMH endpoint, in line with COPE ethical principles.
Subject Coverage
The Journal of Autoimmunity welcomes original research, reviews, and case reports across the following core areas:
Research Topics
Core subject areas published in The Journal of Autoimmunity — explore related research across our journals.
Articles
The autoimmune disorders systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren syndrome are linked to Helicobacter pylori
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics does The Journal of Autoimmunity cover?
The Journal of Autoimmunity covers the full breadth of autoimmunity and clinical immunology: systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome), organ-specific disorders (autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, coeliac disease, paradoxical psoriasis), mechanisms of immune tolerance and epitope spreading, infectious and environmental triggers such as COVID-19 and Helicobacter pylori, and the diagnosis, biomarkers, and biologic therapy of autoimmune disease.
Who should publish in or read The Journal of Autoimmunity?
The journal is intended for immunologists, rheumatologists, clinical and translational researchers, dermatologists, endocrinologists, and graduate students working on autoimmune disease. Authors investigating disease mechanisms, classification criteria, biomarkers, epidemiology, or treatment of autoimmune conditions are encouraged to submit, and clinicians seeking peer-reviewed, freely accessible evidence will find it a useful resource.
Is The Journal of Autoimmunity open access, and who owns the copyright?
Yes. The Journal of Autoimmunity is fully open access. Every accepted article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY 4.0) licence, so it is freely readable worldwide without a subscription, and authors retain copyright to their own work while permitting reuse with attribution.
How does peer review work at The Journal of Autoimmunity?
All submissions undergo double-blind peer review, in which the identities of authors and reviewers are kept confidential from one another. The journal follows COPE ethical principles for editorial decisions, conflicts of interest, and research integrity to ensure fair, rigorous evaluation of autoimmunity research.
What article types can I submit to The Journal of Autoimmunity?
The journal accepts original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, case reports (such as multiple autoimmune syndrome or drug-induced autoimmunity), and editorials. Mechanistic, clinical, epidemiological, and translational studies in autoimmunity and clinical immunology are all in scope.
Does The Journal of Autoimmunity assign a DOI and is it discoverable?
Yes. Each published article receives a permanent Crossref DOI for stable citation, and content is indexed for discovery through OpenAlex and Google Scholar, with an OAI-PMH endpoint available for metadata harvesting. The journal is also preparing for further indexing applications to widen its reach over time.
Is there an article processing charge, and are waivers available?
An article processing charge applies only on acceptance, which funds open-access publication, DOI registration, and long-term preservation. Waivers and discounts are available; authors who need financial support should contact the editorial office before or during submission to discuss eligibility.
How do I submit my manuscript to The Journal of Autoimmunity?
Prepare your manuscript according to the author guidelines, then submit through the journal's submission page. The editorial team confirms scope fit, assigns the paper to double-blind peer review, and on acceptance publishes it open access under CC-BY 4.0 with a Crossref DOI.