Molecular and Histological Advance in Neural 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: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 113
Special Issue Editor
Interests: plastic and reconstructive surgery; peripheral nerve injury; biologic brachytherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Injuries to the nervous system—both peripheral and central—remain a major clinical and scientific challenge due to their limited regenerative capacity and often incomplete functional recovery. While the peripheral nervous system (PNS) retains a certain ability for regeneration, clinical outcomes are frequently suboptimal and functional recovery remains incomplete. In contrast, regeneration within the central nervous system (CNS) is highly restricted due to multiple intrinsic and extrinsic inhibitory mechanisms. Understanding the molecular, cellular, and structural determinants of neural regeneration is therefore essential for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
Recent advances in molecular biology, histology, and regenerative medicine have significantly improved our understanding of the cellular and microenvironmental mechanisms underlying neural repair. In particular, progress in areas such as stem cell-based therapies, gene modulation, neurotrophic signaling, and biomaterial-based nerve guidance strategies has opened new avenues for enhancing axonal regeneration and functional recovery. At the same time, modern histological and imaging approaches enable increasingly precise evaluation of tissue remodeling, axonal growth, and regeneration quality.
We are pleased to invite researchers to contribute original research articles and comprehensive reviews to this Special Issue focusing on molecular mechanisms, histological evaluation, and translational experimental strategies in neural regeneration.
This Special Issue aims to provide an integrated overview of current advances in the molecular and histological understanding of neural regeneration, with particular emphasis on mechanistic and experimental studies related to peripheral nerve injury. Contributions addressing regeneration in the central nervous system are also welcome, especially when they provide mechanistic insights, comparative perspectives with PNS regeneration, or innovative therapeutic approaches.
The scope of this Special Issue aligns closely with the aims of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences by highlighting molecular mechanisms, experimental biology, and translational regenerative strategies. Particular attention will be given to studies combining molecular investigation with histological or functional evaluation of neural repair.
Suggested Themes
Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following thematic categories:
- Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neural Regeneration
- Molecular pathways regulating axonal regeneration
- Schwann cell biology and axon–glia interactions
- Neurotrophic factors and intracellular signaling pathways
- Immunological and inflammatory responses in nerve repair
- Mechanisms limiting regeneration in the central nervous system
- Therapeutic and Translational Strategies
- Stem cells and cell-based therapies in neural repair
- Gene therapy and molecular modulation of regeneration
- Biomaterials, nerve conduits, and tissue engineering approaches
- Extracellular vesicles and secretome-based therapies
- Histological and Functional Evaluation of Regeneration
- Histological and ultrastructural assessment of nerve regeneration
- Quantitative morphometry and imaging-based analysis
- Functional outcome assessment and electrophysiological evaluation
- Experimental Models and Emerging Technologies
- Experimental models of nerve injury (in vivo and in vitro)
- Comparative studies of PNS and CNS regeneration
- Spatial transcriptomics and omics-based approaches
- Advanced imaging technologies in neural regeneration research
Article Types
In this Special Issue, original experimental research articles (in vivo and in vitro) as well as review articles, particularly systematic reviews and meta-analyses, are welcome.
Dr. Wiktor Pascal
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.
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Keywords
- neural regeneration
- peripheral nerve injury
- central nervous system
- Schwann cells
- axonal regeneration
- stem cells
- neurotrophic factors
- biomaterials
- histology
- molecular mechanisms
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