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Dynamics of Fascia: Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Mechanisms
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Dynamics of Fascia: Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Mechanisms

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 1755

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Caterina Fede

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
Interests: fascia; pain; extracellular matrix; hyaluronan; collagen; sex hormones; aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fascia, long regarded as passive connective tissue merely supporting muscles and organs, is increasingly appreciated as a dynamic and responsive system fundamental for tissue homeostasis, mechanobiology, and intercellular communication. This Special Issue aims to explore the cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms governing fascial dynamics in both physiological and pathological contexts. Particular attention will be given to how fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and other resident cells transduce mechanical and biochemical cues to maintain tissue homeostasis and respond to stress or injury.

Furthermore, the role of fascia in chronic pain syndromes, inflammation, hormonal balance, and the modulation of connective tissue function represents an emerging and clinically relevant field. Studies investigating biochemical and neuroendocrine interactions within fascial tissues, and how these processes contribute to etiology of pain, are especially welcome. By integrating basic and translational research, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of fascial biology and its implications for health, disease, and therapeutic innovation.

Dr. Caterina Fede
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. 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

  • fascia
  • homeostasis and pathology
  • extracellular matrix remodeling
  • fibroblast signaling
  • chronic pain
  • fibrosis and inflammation
  • hormonal regulation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 3614 KB  
Article
Redefining the Collagen Composition of Human Fasciae: Emerging Collagen Types and Structural Heterogeneity
by Caterina Fede, Claudia Clair, Lucia Petrelli, Yunfeng Sun, Carlo Biz, Andrea Angelini, Pietro Ruggieri and Carla Stecco
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27021021 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1445
Abstract
Fascia has traditionally been described as a passive connective tissue mainly composed of collagen types I and III. Recent research, however, has revealed its structural and functional complexity, suggesting the possible presence of additional collagen types. This study aimed to quantify the presence [...] Read more.
Fascia has traditionally been described as a passive connective tissue mainly composed of collagen types I and III. Recent research, however, has revealed its structural and functional complexity, suggesting the possible presence of additional collagen types. This study aimed to quantify the presence and distribution of collagen types I, III, VI, and XII in human superficial and deep fasciae to improve understanding of fascial extracellular matrix composition. Superficial and deep fascia samples were collected from 19 adult patients (ages 20–83 years; thigh and lumbar area). Histology, Azan Mallory staining, hydroxyproline quantification, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were performed. The results indicated that deep fascia contained significantly more total collagen than superficial fascia (0.55 ± 0.17 µg/mg vs. 0.36 ± 0.14 µg/mg, p < 0.01). Collagen type VI was the most abundant and widely distributed subtype in both superficial and deep fasciae (mean ratio equal to 0.24 ± 0.13 and 0.27 ± 0.10, respectively), nearly double that of collagen types I (0.12 ± 0.07 and 0.11 ± 0.08), III (0.13 ± 0.09 and 0.17 ± 0.11), and XII (0.13 ± 0.11 and 0.13 ± 0.04). Moreover, statistically significant anatomical differences were observed, despite considerable interindividual variability. Fasciae from the thigh showed higher levels of collagen types I and III (mean ratio of 0.17 and 0.27, respectively, in deep fascia; 0.14 for both types in superficial fascia), whereas fasciae of the lumbar region exhibited greater levels of collagen types VI and XII (ratio equal to 0.33 and 0.15, respectively, in deep fascia; 0.36 and 0.20 in superficial fascia). Overall, these findings highlighted the structural complexity and regional specialization of human fasciae, with potential functional implications for mechanotransduction and tissue adaptation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Fascia: Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Mechanisms)
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