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Cells
Special Issues
Stem Cells in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Next-Generation Therapies
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Stem Cells in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Next-Generation Therapies

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2026) | Viewed by 2600

Special Issue Editor

Dr. George G. Koliakos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: stem cells; molecular biology of the cell; gerobiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stem cells, with their unique capacity for self-renewal, differentiation, and paracrine signaling, serve as foundational elements in modern biomedical science. This Special Issue will showcase groundbreaking research and expert perspectives on the multifaceted functions of stem cells in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and therapeutic innovation. We particularly welcome contributions that elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing stem cell behavior—ranging from lineage commitment and niche interaction to immunomodulatory and antimicrobial functions—as well as studies investigating the therapeutic utility of stem cell-derived secretomes and extracellular vesicles, as well as the utility of organoid systems in personalized and general drug evaluation and tissue repair. Additionally, applications spanning tissue repair, scaffold-based engineering, and translational strategies—including cGMP-compliant protocols and clinical‑grade production—are of significant interest. By fostering dialogue across basic biology, bioengineering, and clinical translation, this Special Issue will spotlight innovations that harness stem cells’ intrinsic capabilities in tissue regeneration, disease intervention, and personalized medicine. We invite the original submission of research, reviews, methods, and perspectives that will advance our understanding of stem cell functions and pave the way for next-generation biomedical applications.

Dr. George G. Koliakos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stem cell biology
  • differentiation and niche interaction
  • secretome/extracellular vesicles
  • organoids and disease modeling
  • regenerative medicine and tissue repair
  • immunomodulation and antimicrobial function
  • cell-based therapies and cGMP translation
  • scaffold and biomaterial integration

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

24 pages, 9102 KB  
Review
Research Landscape of Stem Cell Applications in Musculoskeletal Tissue: A Scoping Review
by Aiyarin Kittilukkana, Puwapong Nimkingratana, Dumnoensun Pruksakorn, Mingkwan Na Takuathung and Nut Koonrungsesomboon
Cells 2026, 15(5), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050456 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Stem cell therapy represents an intrinsic part of regenerative medicine, with expanding applications in orthopedic and musculoskeletal research. Although studies span from small-animal models to early-phase clinical trials, the field remains fragmented, with wide variation in stem cell types, delivery methods, and target [...] Read more.
Stem cell therapy represents an intrinsic part of regenerative medicine, with expanding applications in orthopedic and musculoskeletal research. Although studies span from small-animal models to early-phase clinical trials, the field remains fragmented, with wide variation in stem cell types, delivery methods, and target tissues. A consolidated overview is needed to inform future directions and bridge the gap between preclinical promise and clinical application. This scoping review synthesized evidence from 500 preclinical and clinical studies, identified through systematic searches and screened in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data were extracted on stem cell type and source, delivery approach, targeted tissue and organ, and disease indication. We found that autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were the most used, with adipose- and perinatal-derived cells gaining prominence in recent years. Small-animal models such as rats and rabbits predominated, while large-animal and human studies focused mainly on knee osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injection was the principal delivery method across both preclinical and clinical settings. By mapping prevailing practices and emerging trends, this review provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, clinicians, and regulatory stakeholders. It highlights translational pathways, identifies critical gaps, and offers evidence to guide the design of safe, effective, and scalable regenerative therapies in orthopedics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cells in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Next-Generation Therapies)
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27 pages, 2345 KB  
Review
Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells in Review: Immune and Lymphangiogenic Privilege and Their Clinical Relevance
by Berbang Meshko, Thomas Volatier, Claus Cursiefen and Maria Notara
Cells 2026, 15(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15010091 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1265
Abstract
The cornea maintains transparency by preserving immune and (lymph)angiogenic privilege through active suppression of inflammation and vascular invasion, a process centrally regulated by limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located at the corneoscleral junction. Beyond renewing the corneal epithelium, LESCs maintain immune and vascular [...] Read more.
The cornea maintains transparency by preserving immune and (lymph)angiogenic privilege through active suppression of inflammation and vascular invasion, a process centrally regulated by limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) located at the corneoscleral junction. Beyond renewing the corneal epithelium, LESCs maintain immune and vascular balance via extracellular matrix interactions and paracrine signalling, exerting predominantly anti-inflammatory and anti-(lymph)angiogenic effects in vivo. Disruption of the limbal niche by trauma, UV exposure, or genetic disorders such as aniridia leads to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), chronic inflammation, loss of corneal avascularity, and vision loss. The identification of ABCB5 as a key LESC marker has clarified functional limbal subsets, highlighting ABCB5+ epithelial cells as mediators of repair, remodelling, and immune suppression, and positioning them as promising therapeutic targets for treatments that restore both epithelial integrity and corneal immune privilege. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cells in Action: Unlocking the Potential of Next-Generation Therapies)
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