Diet plays a role in almost every function in the body. In particular, diet is critical in maintaining optimal immune function. Extensive research demonstrates the immunomodulatory properties of particular nutrients; however, in many cases, mechanisms still remain unclear.

We invite authors to submit original research and review articles describing mechanisms underlying the relationship between nutrition and immunity, especially in early life, when diet may exert an important role in the immune development of the infant.

We are interested in articles describing this complex relationship in humans and also in animal models, either in health or during pathological processes, in which the dietary compounds may act by modulating the immune response. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Dietary influence on the early programming of the immune system
• Role of vitamins and minerals in helping prevent infections
• Polyphenols: more than antioxidant agents
• Dietary PUFAs and modulation of immune function in health and disease
• Role of diet in modulation of the gut microbiota and implications for the immune system
• Advances in prebiotics and probiotics and mechanisms involved in their immunomodulatory properties
• Breast-milk-derived compounds and infant formulas in paediatric immune modulation
• Role of nutrient supplementation on vaccine-induced immunity to childhood vaccines

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