Latest Research on Mesenchymal Stem Cells (2nd Edition)
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: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 451
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cellular and molecular mechanisms of stress; apoptosis and inflammation
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
MSCs (mesenchymal stem/stromal cells) are found in practically all tissues and play a role in regeneration and homeostasis. They have the ability to self-renew and activate multipotency when stimulated by biochemical signals. The MSC secretome or MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles, EVs) have been hypothesized as a more important biological mechanism contributing to their function than their differentiation capacity. EVs play a role in cell-to-cell communication, cell signaling, and changing cell or tissue metabolism at the local or global level. MSC-derived exosomes contain, e.g., cytokines and growth factors, signaling lipids, mRNAs, and regulatory miRNAs.
The contents of MSC exosomes are dynamic, influenced by the MSC tissue of origin, its activity, and its immediate intercellular neighbors. Thus, when MSCs are grown alongside tumor cells or in the in vivo tumor microenvironment, the exosome concentration appears to be altered. MSCs can directly donate mitochondria to recover from cell injury and rescue mitochondrial damage-induced tissue degeneration. This could promote cancer growth and spread by promoting mitochondrial exchange between cancer cells and adjacent stromal cells. A growing body of evidence implies that physical stimulation has a role in MSC development.
We aim to highlight new areas of research related to MSC involvement in niche-specific development, tissue homeostasis, and function, with emphasis on the molecular level. This research will open the way for deciphering the molecular mysteries of MSCs, as well as for novel therapeutic modalities.
Prof. Dr. Marcel Costuleanu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- mesenchymal stem cell
- MSC
- niche
- tissue homeostasis
- exosomes
- microvesicles
- cancer
- mitochondrial exchange
- MSC secretome
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