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Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration
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Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 2456

Editors

Dr. Andrei Gresita

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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rares Str., 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: regenerative medicine; neuroscience; brain injury; stroke; neurodegenerative diseases; neuronal damage; neuroinflammation; neurorepair; neuroplasticity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tiago Santos

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Guest Editor
School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: neuroprotection; neural stem cells; neurodegenerative diseases; neurodevelopmental disorders; neurogenesis; central nervous system; neuroblasts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of neurorepair and regeneration has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, driven by advances in molecular neuroscience, biomaterials, stem cell biology, and pharmacological innovation. Despite these developments, translating experimental findings into effective clinical interventions for neurological disorders remains a profound challenge. This Special Issue, “Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration”, aims to highlight cutting-edge discoveries and interdisciplinary approaches that expand our understanding of neural recovery and functional restoration. We welcome contributions focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, cellular reprogramming, and axonal regeneration, as well as innovative therapeutic strategies employing biomaterials, neurotrophic factors, small molecules, or gene-based interventions. Of particular interest are studies bridging experimental models with translational perspectives, shedding light on how emerging therapies may ultimately reshape clinical practice in stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. By bringing together novel insights from basic, preclinical, and translational research, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the next generation of neurorepair strategies, guiding the future of regenerative medicine in neuroscience.

Dr. Andrei Gresita
Dr. Tiago Santos
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 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-anonymized 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

  • neurorepair
  • regeneration
  • neuroplasticity
  • cellular reprogramming
  • biomaterials
  • stroke
  • spinal cord injury
  • traumatic brain injury
  • neurodegenerative diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 29333 KB  
Article
Rapid and Robust Generation of Human Cortical Interneurons from Induced Neural Stem Cells
by Xinwei Zang, Yunqian Guan, Wanting Xing and Zhiguo Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125194 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 163
Abstract
Current protocols for generating cortical interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells are hindered by slow differentiation kinetics and poor reproducibility across cell lines. Here, we present a defined small-molecule-based strategy that efficiently directs human-induced neural stem cells (hiNSCs) toward cortical GABAergic interneurons within [...] Read more.
Current protocols for generating cortical interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells are hindered by slow differentiation kinetics and poor reproducibility across cell lines. Here, we present a defined small-molecule-based strategy that efficiently directs human-induced neural stem cells (hiNSCs) toward cortical GABAergic interneurons within 14–18 days, which is substantially faster than conventional methods. Short-term dual-SMAD and WNT inhibition rapidly commits hiNSCs to an interneuron progenitor fate, reaching transcriptional states equivalent to those obtained with prolonged protocols. Prolonged activation of Sonic Hedgehog (via SAG) further enhances lineage specification, markedly upregulating NKX2.1, FOXG1, GABA, somatostatin (SST), and parvalbumin (PV) expression, and enriching pathways associated with early functional maturation. Importantly, RNA-sequencing reveals that under identical induction conditions, hiNSCs differentiate more rapidly and homogeneously than human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), which exhibit broader, less lineage-focused transcriptional trajectories. This differentiation strategy is highly reproducible across four genetically distinct hiNSC lines, with minimal off-target populations. Functionally, hiNSC-derived cortical interneurons display robust migratory behavior, produce abundant GABA, and survive transplantation into the adult mouse hippocampus, where they extend processes and form synapse-like structures. These findings establish a rapid, scalable, and robust approach for generating human cortical interneurons, supporting their safety and integration potential as a foundation for future cell replacement strategies in neurological disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration)
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Review

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32 pages, 2135 KB  
Review
Phase-Specific Evaluation of Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Preclinical Studies: A Review of Functional Assessment, Emerging Therapies, and Translational Value
by Denisa Mădălina Viezuină, Irina (Mușa) Burlacu, Andrei Greșiță, Irina-Mihaela Matache, Elena-Anca Târtea, Mădălina Iuliana Mușat, Manuel-Ovidiu Amzoiu, Bogdan Cătălin, Veronica Sfredel and Smaranda Ioana Mitran
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010419 - 31 Dec 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1784
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries, particularly those involving the sciatic nerve, remain a major clinical challenge due to incomplete functional recovery and the limited translation of preclinical advances into effective therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the phase-specific evaluation of sciatic nerve regeneration in [...] Read more.
Peripheral nerve injuries, particularly those involving the sciatic nerve, remain a major clinical challenge due to incomplete functional recovery and the limited translation of preclinical advances into effective therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the phase-specific evaluation of sciatic nerve regeneration in preclinical models, integrating behavioral, sensory, electrophysiological, and morphological approaches across the acute, subacute (Wallerian degeneration), early regenerative, and late regenerative phases. By mapping functional readouts onto the underlying biological events of each phase, we highlight how tools such as the Sciatic Functional Index, Beam Walk test, Rotarod test, nerve conduction studies, and nociceptive assays provide complementary and often non-interchangeable information about motor, sensory, and neuromuscular recovery. We further examine emerging therapeutic strategies, including intraoperative electrical stimulation, immunomodulation, platelet-rich plasma, bioengineered scaffolds, conductive and piezoelectric conduits, exosome-based hydrogels, tacrolimus delivery systems, and small molecules, emphasizing the importance of aligning their mechanisms of action with the dynamic microenvironment of peripheral nerve repair. Despite substantial advancements in experimental models, an analysis of publication trends and registries reveals a persistent translational gap, with remarkably few clinical trials relative to the high volume of preclinical studies. To illustrate how mechanistic insights can be complemented by molecular-level characterization, we also present a targeted computational analysis of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA,) including frontier orbital energies, physicochemical descriptors, and docking interactions with IL-6, TGF-β, and a growth-factor receptor—performed solely for this molecule due to its documented structural availability and relevance. By presenting an integrated, phase-specific framework for functional assessment and therapeutic evaluation, this review underscores the need for standardized, biologically aligned methodologies to improve the rigor, comparability, and clinical relevance of future studies in sciatic nerve regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration)
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