About this Research Topic
Recently, the use of single cells-based technologies and confocal/second harmonic microscopy imaging have certainly enhanced our understanding of the bone marrow stromal niche composition, which appears to be complex and to include several cell sub-populations characterized by different molecular profiles and functions. Importantly, demonstration of a functional cross-talk among the different cellular compartments have been shown.
The bone marrow niche plays a key role in the regulation of haematopoietic cells’ survival, proliferation and differentiation. It is not surprisingly that a perturbation within the dynamics underlying this crosstalk might alter the behaviour of the cellular populations involved, leading to the development and progression of haematological malignancies.
Increasing evidence indicates that an effective anti-tumour therapy should not be directed solely against malignant cells, but must uncouple the interplay with the co-opted associated cells of the surrounding milieu.
The focus of this Research Topic will be to provide insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the ability of the bone marrow niche to regulate the normal life of haematopoietic cells, and how this interplay is dysregulated during cancer development and progression.
The aim of the current Research Topic is to cover the most recent insights related to the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in both physiological conditions and during malignant haematopoiesis. We welcome Original Research and Review articles that cover, but are not limited to:
• Novel approaches for cell culture systems within bone marrow niche models
• Imaging modalities to explore the spatial organization of the bone marrow niche
• Novel techniques for studying the haematopoietic cell-to- and bone marrow niche interaction.
• Interplay between haematopoietic stem cells and immunity
• Ageing affecting the different the cellular components of the bone marrow niche
• Mechanisms of cell-to-cell or cell-to-extracellular matrix interaction, within the bone marrow niche
• Role of the bone marrow niche in determine the outcome of transplantation
• Role of the bone marrow niche in supporting the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies
• Targeting the bone marrow niche as novel therapeutic strategies in hematologic malignancies
• Functional crass-talk between the bone marrow niche and hematologic clonal cells
• Targeting the crosstalk with the bone marrow milieu to tackle haematopoietic malignancies.
Topic Editor Aldo Roccaro received financial support from AstraZeneca, Fondazione AIRC and FRRB/ERA-NET Transcan-2. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.