Application of Stem Cells and Cellular Engineering in Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 740
Special Issue Editor
Interests: orthopedics; musculoskeletal field; mesenchymal stem/stromal cells; regenerative medicine; clinical biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Musculoskeletal tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, and muscle, possess limited intrinsic regenerative capacity, making their repair a major clinical challenge. In recent years, stem cell–based therapies and cellular engineering strategies have emerged as promising approaches to enhance tissue regeneration and restore functional integrity. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and tissue-specific progenitors have demonstrated significant potential due to their regenerative capacity, immunomodulatory properties, and paracrine activity. In parallel, advances in cellular engineering—such as gene editing, biomaterial-based scaffolds, bioreactors, and three-dimensional culture systems—have enabled the development of more sophisticated and physiologically relevant regenerative strategies. The integration of stem cells with engineered microenvironments allows precise control over cell fate, matrix deposition, and tissue organization, ultimately improving repair outcomes. Moreover, emerging insights into mechanobiology, cell–matrix interactions, and extracellular vesicle signaling are further expanding the therapeutic landscape. This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research and translational advances in the application of stem cells and cellular engineering for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. Original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing basic mechanisms, preclinical models, and clinical perspectives are welcomed, with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerating the translation of innovative regenerative therapies into clinical practice.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Stem cell therapies for musculoskeletal tissues;
- Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and progenitors;
- Cellular and gene engineering approaches;
- Biomaterials, scaffolds, and 3D culture systems;
- Mechanobiology and cell–matrix interactions;
- Preclinical animal models for musculoskeletal regeneration;
- Extracellular vesicles and secretome‑based therapies.
Dr. Alessandra Colombini
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
- mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
- tissue specific progenitors
- cellular engineering
- musculoskeletal tissue regeneration
- tissue engineering
- biomaterials
- 3D culture systems
- mechanobiology
- extracellular vesicles
- translational regenerative medicine
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
