About JHI

Aims and scope

Journal of Human Immunity (JHI) is an open access journal that publishes papers that provide novel insights into the physiology and pathology of human immunity through the study of genetic defects and their phenocopies, including the study of leukocytes and other cells. The journal focuses on human inborn errors of immunity, encompassing conditions as diverse as infection, autoimmunity, autoinflammation, malignancy, and allergy. Human inborn errors of immunity include monogenic disorders with complete (Mendelian traits) or incomplete (non-Mendelian) penetrance. The journal welcomes other types of genetic basis (e.g., digenic) if causality is genetically unquestionable or if the immunological mechanism is documented (or both). Single patient and single kindred genetic studies are welcome, as are small and large series of patients. We will publish descriptions of new genotypes, immunological phenotypes, and clinical phenotypes, which may result from hitherto understudied ancestries or environments. The journal also welcomes other papers if they are clearly relevant to human inborn errors of immunity.

Criteria

To warrant publication in JHI, a manuscript must provide novel research findings of broad interest and clear in vivo relevance. Biomedical studies immediately relevant to disease will receive high priority.

Manuscript types

Research Articles present peer-reviewed comprehensive studies providing novel and significant insight into an area of interest to our general readership. Articles are fully documented reports of original research, but should be as concise as possible without compromising the documentation of the data. Manuscripts containing purely descriptive observations or reports of new techniques in the absence of new biological insights will be considered if directly relevant to human inborn errors of immunity. Articles should be no more than 40,000 characters (not including spaces, figure legends, methods, references, and tables), with up to 10 figures and/or tables. Articles may have up to five supplemental figures and references are unlimited.

Research Letters are peer-reviewed studies providing novel and significant insights into an area of human immunity. They report original research that benefits from being published in a concise format, because of its importance or because of its brevity. They must not exceed 1,500 words (not including spaces, figure legends, references, and tables), five references, and one figure or table. Abstracts should be no more than 40 words. No supplemental materials are permitted. Research that includes patients should include an explicit statement that appropriate informed consent was obtained for research. If any identifiable patient images are included, additional documentation of permission from the patient for this should be provided.

Cases in Immunology are peer-reviewed reports of exceptional cases of single patients or small series of patients that provide illuminating insights into clinical care, but do not generally include research-based studies. They must not exceed 1,500 words (not including spaces, figure legends, references, and tables), five references, and one figure or table. Abstracts should be no more than 40 words. Cases in Immunology should adhere to the CARE guidelines – note that informed consent statements should be explicit about what they cover, e.g., consent is needed to publish patient images. Cases in Immunology are by invitation only.

 

Front matter formats

Most front matter in JHI is commissioned by the editors. However, we do accept proposals for the following formats.

Reviews are peer-reviewed, comprehensive overviews on a topic of interest to the broad JHI readership. Reviews are usually 4,000–6,000 words in length and include three to four figures/tables. The number of references is unlimited.

How I Treat are peer-reviewed, up-to-date information and guidance articles from expert clinicians regarding diagnosis and treatment. Usually 4,000–6,000 words in length and include three to four figures/tables. The number of references is unlimited.

Perspectives are peer-reviewed, similar to Reviews, but offer a more speculative view of a topic related to human inborn errors of immunity or human immunity at large.

News & Views highlight primary research articles published in JHI and are not peer reviewed. Most News & Views are commissioned, but unsolicited proposals will be considered. News & Views may be up to 1,500 words in length, with no more than 15 references and one figure.

Editorial process

At JHI, we strive to provide exceptional service to our authors by ensuring timely, objective, and rigorous decision making.

Upon submission, manuscripts are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor and an Associate Editor for general suitability and strength of advance. An initial decision is usually reached within one week.

We take requests for exclusions seriously and honor these requests whenever possible. Please note, however, that we may not honor requests for exclusion of our Associate Editors. The assignment of an Associate Editor is solely at the discretion of the in-house Editor-in-Chief, and Associate Editors do not act as external reviewers. Editors recuse themselves from the evaluation process when there is a conflict of interest.

If sent for external review, each manuscript is reviewed by several leading scientists in the relevant field. Decisions on reviewed manuscripts are usually reached within one month. Peer review is conducted as a single anonymized process, where the reviewers can see author names, but reviewer names are anonymous to authors and other reviewers. Generally, each manuscript is reviewed by three referees.

When submission of a revised manuscript is invited following external review, there is no deadline for resubmission. However, the novelty and priority will be reassessed accordingly, and the manuscript may be sent to the original reviewers and/or new reviewers. To expedite publication, only one major revision of each paper will be considered. A second, minor revision is common.

Authors can appeal editorial decisions through the manuscript submission system. They may also transfer their manuscript, reviewer comments, and reviewer identities to another journal through our transfer system (see our Transfer policy). Reviewers may opt out of having their identity transferred.

Manuscripts submitted by the Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor, and Associate Editors

Papers submitted by the Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor, and Associate Editors undergo external peer review and are handled solely by JHI consulting editors.

Editorial board

JHI is led by an Editor-in-Chief supported by a Deputy Editor, Associate Editors, a Scientific Advisory Board, and Boards of Society and Regional Editors.

The Editor-in-Chief is appointed by IAPIDS and Rockefeller University Press.

Appointment of Deputy Editor, Associate Editors, members of the Scientific Advisory Board, and Regional Editors are made by the Editor-in-Chief.

JHI Associate Editors are leading scientists representing the main research areas within the scope of the journal. In collaboration with the Editor-in-Chief and the Deputy Editor, Associate Editors are responsible for making timely, thoughtful, and objective editorial decisions on manuscripts in their research area.

The Scientific Advisory Board provides guidance to the Editor-in-Chief. Three members of the Scientific Advisory Board also have a Consulting Editor role with the responsibility of making timely, thoughtful, and objective editorial decisions on manuscripts submitted by the Editor-in-Chief, the Deputy Editor, and Associate Editors.

Society Editors are appointed by the Editor-in-Chief upon nomination of three members by each of the IAPIDS societies and other societies in the field of human inborn errors of immunity. Society Editors may serve as peer reviewers. They connect the JHI with the Societies in the field of human inborn errors of immunity.

Regional Editors are appointed by the Editor-in-Chief upon suggestions from the Deputy Editor and Associate Editors. Regional Editors serve as ambassadors for JHI.