The Interactions Between Cells and Their Microenvironment
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 338
Special Issue Editors
Interests: interstitial cells; connective tissue; telocyte; fibroblast
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The interactions between cells and their microenvironment play a crucial role in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. The microenvironment comprises not only the extracellular matrix but also various types of cells, such as stromal and immune cells, as well as the signaling molecules and metabolic products that they secrete. These components of the microenvironment significantly influence cells’ behavior, differentiation, and function, impacting tissue development, homeostasis, and disease progression, including in conditions such as cancer, fibrosis, and inflammatory diseases.
The study of the stromal cell microenvironment, in particular, has highlighted its critical role in maintaining tissue’s structure and function. Stromal cells, including fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells, maintain tissue integrity and respond to injury by modulating the composition of the extracellular matrix, secreting various signaling molecules and interacting with surrounding cells. Understanding the mechanisms by which stromal cells shape the microenvironment, regulate cell-to-cell communication, and influence disease onset and progression is of particular interest.
This Special Issue aims to uncover the mechanisms of cell–microenvironment interactions, with a particular emphasis on how stromal cells contribute to these processes. We therefore especially encourage submissions focusing on stromal cells and their role in the microenvironment. We welcome research exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these interactions, novel experimental approaches, and innovative therapeutic strategies targeting the cell microenvironment.
Dr. Ping Yang
Dr. Haitao Nie
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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
- cell microenvironment
- extracellular matrix
- interstitial cells
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