Stem Cells and Extracellular Matrix Innovations in Cardiac Regenerative Medicine

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiac regenerative medicine is a scientific field focused on repairing or restoring the structure and function of damaged cardiac tissue. Despite significant advances in pharmacological and surgical therapies, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, the heart’s reduced ability to self-regenerate following injuries, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), motivates and drives the scientific community to identify new therapeutic options. Stem cell-based therapies, including adult stem cells (CS) and cardiac progenitor cells (CPC), show strong potential for cardiac repair due to their ability to differentiate into cardiac cell types. However, post-ischemic alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) negatively impact cell behavior, survival, and integration. To address this limitation, cardiac tissue engineering strategies combining cells, biomimetic cues, and natural or synthetic biomaterials have emerged to enhance structural support, cell engraftment, and functional integration in the injured myocardium.

This Topic Issue aims to highlight innovative strategies that harness the synergistic potential of CPC and ECM components to enhance repair and functional recovery. Particular emphasis will be placed on emerging technologies including biomimetic scaffolds, decellularized matrices, bioactive extracellular vesicles, and advanced cellular reprogramming methods, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the development of regenerative therapies. Submissions of original research articles, reviews, and short communication on advanced topics in cardiac regenerative medicine, aiming to advance scientific knowledge and innovation in the field, are welcome.

Topics of interest for this Topic Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Matrix remodeling
• Cell–matrix interactions
• Regenerative signalling pathways
• Organoid and/or tissue engineering
• Cardiac patches
• Biomaterials
• Three-dimensional scaffolds
• Decellularization of extracellular matrix
• Bioreactor systems

Dr. Anna Maria Sacco
Dr. Veronica Romano
Dr. Marialuisa Piccolo
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Cells cells	6.0	11.4	2012	14.9 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Hearts hearts	-	-	2020	19.6 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease jcdd	2.6	4.5	2014	23.4 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.3	5.2	2012	16.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sci sci	4.1	5.4	2019	28.2 Days	CHF 1400	Submit

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