Skin has a complex and unique immune system that protects against several diseases, such as those due to infections and malignant neoplasm. However, this immunological system may attack the skin itself in the case of autoimmune diseases. Genetics associated to environmental factors such as smoking, infections, psychological stress, drugs, and hormones, are important players in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity.

Nowadays, several scientists have tried to understand how and why the tegumentary system becomes scenario of immune responses. The knowledge of these conditions has led to development of animal models, better knowledge of pathophysiology, and new tools for diagnosis and therapy of these autoimmune skin disorders.

We are inviting investigators to submit their scientific papers focused on aspects related to autoimmunity skin disorders in humans or also in animal models. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments in morphea and systemic scleroderma: fibroblasts abnormalities, angiogenesis, and vasculogenesis
• Photosensitivity in lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis
• Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: progress in the management
• Epitope spreading in autoimmune bullous diseases
• Dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease: from gluten to autoimmunity diseases
• Bullous pemphigoid
• Vitiligo and autoimmunity: targets for treatment
• Psoriasis: immune functions of the plasmacytoid dendritic cells
• Drug-induced ANCA-mediated vasculitis
• Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS): drug, viruses, and autoimmunity
• Lichen planus and autoimmunity
• Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and antiphospholipid antibodies
• Autoinflammatory diseases and tegumentary manifestations: systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis; adult-onset Still's disease; the syndrome of periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA); Behçetés disease; chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO)
• Skin autoimmunity and blood coagulation
• Chronic urticaria: autoimmunity/autoreactivity
• Alopecia areata
• Cicatricial alopecia and hair-follicule specific self-antigens
• Atopic dermatitis and regulatory T cells
• Pemphigus vulgaris

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/author/submit/journals/ad/ads/ according to the following timetable: