Cell-Based Approaches for Modulating Cartilage and Bone Phenotype

In the field of regenerative medicine, much progress has been made towards the development of new treatment options for cartilage and bone defects. However, so far, no regenerative medicine based approach surpasses the various long standing gold standard therapies. In order to move the field forward it is clear that increasing our understanding of the mechanisms controlling cell fate in the process of cartilage and bone formation and repair will be crucial. What the controlling mechanisms are for the formation of bone or the maintenance of healthy cartilage are in the body are not clear but certainly include mechanical stimulation, pH, hypoxia, secreted factors, extracellular matrix, cell to matrix interactions, immune and inflammatory response, vascularisation, but also cellular senescence, cellular stress, epigenetics and changes in cellular metabolism.

Mainly focusing on the cellular and molecular aspects, with this Research Topic we aim to bring together research on these disparate mechanisms in an attempt to shed some light on how we might induce the formation and repair of bone and cartilage tissues in the regenerative medicine setting, to finally improve upon old gold standards of joint replacement and autologous tissue transplantation. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Methods papers and Reviews.