Differentiation and Regulation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs, also known as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) are a group of heterogeneous stromal cells with various differentiation potentials contributing to the postnatal genesis of osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes as well as the maintenance of hemopoietic niches. Under pathological conditions like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, etc., the differentiation shift of BMSCs has been noticed and is always in the spotlight in recent decade. Nevertheless, the heterogenicity of BMSCs significantly impedes the study in this area. In recent years, with the help of emerging novel techniques like single cell sequencing, the differentiation hierarchy atlas of BMSCs has been gradually depicted. For example, several combinations of markers have been used to defined a subgroup of BMSCs with determined differentiation potentials.

The Research Topic will focus on the BMSCs differentiation mechanisms and regulations as well as therapeutic strategies of altering BMSCs differentiation shift for bone diseases. For example, what are the key participants in determining BMSCs differentiation? What are the epigenetic mechanisms of regulating BMSCs differentiation? What the mechanisms of BMSCs differentiation shift alterations under pathological conditions?

The Research Topic will cover, but is not limited to the following:
-Metabolic changes in the BMSCs differentiation
-Cytoskeletal alterations and the impacts on BMSCs differentiation
-The epigenic mechanisms of regulating BMSCs differentiation
-Novel subgroup markers for identification and isolation of BMSCs
-Novel strategies of altering BMSCs differentiation shift
-Cross-talks between BMSCs and other bone marrow cells under physical and pathological conditions like osteoporosis
-Apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis of BMSCs
-BMSC change during ageing and the senescence of BMSCs