Molecular and Cellular Pathways Involved in Age-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 October 2025 | Viewed by 75
Special Issue Editors
Interests: aging; DNA damage; apoptosis; cellular senescence; cancer; bone; bone marrow adiposity; osteoporosis; fracture; cancer treatments- chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As advancements in the understanding of age-related changes in musculoskeletal health continue to evolve, it is crucial to gather comprehensive insights into the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Age-related musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and sarcopenia, are driven by complex molecular and cellular pathways. Cellular senescence, characterized by an irreversible cell cycle arrest, plays a crucial role in these disorders by promoting chronic inflammation through the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Additionally, genetic mutations, telomere shortening, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial damage, and oxidative stress contribute to the degeneration of musculoskeletal tissues with aging. These pathways disrupt bone homeostasis, leading to bone loss, muscle atrophy, and joint degeneration, significantly impacting the quality of life in the elderly. This Special Issue will highlight several molecular and cellular mechanisms involved with age-related musculoskeletal disorders. We invite researchers and experts to submit their original research and review articles that explore the diverse aspects of this critical topic.
The topics of this Special Issue include the following:
- Cellular Senescence and Musculoskeletal Aging: Exploring how cellular senescence and SASP factors contribute to musculoskeletal degeneration with aging.
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations in Aging: Investigating genetic mutations and epigenetic changes that influence bone and muscle health in the elderly.
- Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Examining the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in the aging of musculoskeletal tissues.
- Inflammation and Bone Homeostasis: Understanding the impact of chronic inflammation on bone density and joint health in age-related disorders.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Discussing potential therapies targeting molecular and cellular pathways to mitigate or reverse musculoskeletal aging.
- Diet as a Regulator of Aging: Discussing obesity as an accelerator of musculoskeletal aging and exploring dietary interventions to mitigate its effects.
Submission types are as follows:
- Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews summarizing current knowledge on molecular and cellular pathways involved in musculoskeletal aging.
- Research Articles: Original studies presenting new findings on genetic, epigenetic, or biochemical mechanisms in age-related musculoskeletal disorders.
- Case Studies: Detailed descriptions of individual cases highlighting unique aspects of musculoskeletal aging and potential treatments.
- Meta-Analyses: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses combining data from multiple studies to provide broader insights into the mechanisms and interventions for age-related musculoskeletal disorders.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Abhishek Chandra
Dr. Neha Dole
Guest Editors
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
- musculoskeletal disorders
- cellular senescence
- aging
- genetic mutations
- oxidative stress
- mitochondrial dysfunction
- bone homeostasis
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.
