Advances in Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration Using Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells, Biomaterials, and Signaling Molecules

Dear Colleagues,

Regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues is a serious clinical challenge given that their injury and disease are leading causes of physical disability worldwide. Approved mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) and MSC products (i.e., extracellular vesicles) for stem cell-based therapy applications offer huge promise to rejuvenate musculoskeletal tissues, triggering tissue repair and healing. In parallel, the discovery of specialized biomaterials and signaling molecules has opened novel therapeutic avenues as part of tissue engineering approaches. Up-to-date, significant progress has been made in developing and optimizing the components of this therapeutic triad (cells, biomaterials, signaling molecules), but only a limited number of technologies have been successfully transferred into the clinical setting. Currently, efforts are focused on bringing closer basic science and cell-based product manufacturing techniques to potential clinical protocols. This Special Issue aims to present a state-of-the-art update on the use of MSC, biomaterials and signaling molecules for musculoskeletal therapeutic applications.

We are pleased to invite you as a recognized expert in the field to contribute original articles, communications, and reviews covering the entire field of musculoskeletal regeneration research, including (but not limited to):

• MSC and biomaterial functionalization (e.g., cell phenotype-based purification, cell priming, gene-activated matrices);
• MSC-derived extracellular vesicle isolation and methods to reinforce their therapeutic signatures;
• Benefits and limitations of MSC versus MSC-derived extracellular vesicles for musculoskeletal applications;
• MSC and MSC-derived extracellular vesicle effects on immunomodulation and senescent cell clearance;
• Potent signaling molecules to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular communication;
• Novel specialized biomaterials and scaffolds utilized to regenerate musculoskeletal tissues;
• Microphysiological systems (organ or tissue chips), are generated according to musculoskeletal tissue engineering principles, as drug testing models.

We look forward to hearing any questions you may have and hopefully receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dimitrios Kouroupis
Dr. Thomas M. Best
Guest Editors

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