Paracrine Effects of Human Stem/Progenitor Cells—From Bench to Bedside

Dear Colleagues,

Various human stem/progenitor cell (SPC) populations have been employed in different experimental models as well as clinical trials aimed at regeneration of damaged tissues, including central nervous system, heart, liver, etc. Despite the potential structural replacement of the impaired cells in some cases, basic and clinical research investigations broadly indicate that SPCs exert a regenerative effect on damaged tissues by paracrine mechanisms. Essentially, a variety of soluble proteins, involving cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, immunologic factors, as well as bioactive lipids, microRNA, and mRNA are released by SPCs and influence the cell–cells crosstalk and the tissue microenvironment. Therefore, these humoral factors play a crucial role in inflammation, angiogenesis, vascular function, and other processes that affect the course of organ self-regeneration. Interestingly, analogous therapeutic effects are sometimes observed after applying different SPC populations, as a consequence of similar paracrine interactions.

We therefore invite investigators to contribute original research as well as review articles that focus on efforts to understand and elucidate different aspects of paracrine mechanisms accompanying human SPCs circulation or adjuvant therapies.

Prof. Dr. Bogusław Machaliński
Guest Editor

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