Tissue Repair and Regenerative Mechanisms by Stem/Progenitor Cells and their Secretome, Volume II

Regenerative medicine is a branch of translational research which is energizing and empowering clinical practice. Moving from the first successful injection of hematopoietic stem cell in 1957, cell-based treatments are far from a new concept and tentative experiences. Several products have been developed in a relatively short period of time, covering a variety of indications with no available therapeutic options across different specialties, e.g. neurology, cardiology, hepatology, dermatology, immunology, hematology and oncology. A growing armamentarium of therapeutic options, spanning from bioartificial organs and tissues, stem and progenitor cells, biomaterials, and cell secretome (such as extracellular vesicles or soluble mediators) has become available as medical treatments as an adjunct or substitute to standard pharmaceutics, harnessing the power of repairing, replacing, restoring and regenerating human organs and tissues affected by various degenerative disorders.

While pluripotent stem cell-based therapies are considered promising regenerative approaches, the tissue repair mechanism adopted by tissue-resident stem/progenitor cells is not fully understood. We aim to address such knowledge gap with original research as well as review articles collected in this Research Topic to guide readers towards major or new findings on repair mechanisms employed by resident stem/progenitor cells in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Preclinical results and therapeutic applications are of particular interest as these studies are instrumental in realizing the full potential of regenerative therapy with stem/progenitor cells.

Another important aspect to explore is the soluble mediators released by stem cells. Stem cells actively interact and crosstalk with the tissue environment and immune cells not only by cell-to-cell interactions but also through paracrine mediators. Recent preclinical studies demonstrated regenerative effects using pre-conditioned medium without cell implantation. Such features make adult stem/progenitor cells a potential and important source of bioactive cargos for the homeostasis and repair of damaged tissues after severe injury. 

The third topic of interest is the potential for malignant transformation of adult stem cells. While adult stem/progenitor cells are generally considered to lack tumorigenicity, several recent studies have shown that the accumulation of genetic and/or epigenetic alterations occurring in stem/progenitor cells during aging and severe injuries, including chronic inflammation, could generate cell trans-differentiation and/or malignant transformation. This potential for malignant transformation makes it critical for us to better understand environmental influences on adult stem/progenitor cells and their function. 

To advance the therapeutic application of stem/progenitor cells and bioengineered tissues, we welcome submissions of original research as well as review articles that may cast a light on regenerative mechanisms of resident adult stem/progenitor cells and repair in tissue homeostasis.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Perinatal Stem Cells and/or Secretome
• iPS Cells and/or Secretome
• Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and/or Secretome
• Resident Endothelial Progenitor Cells/Pericytes and/or Secretome
• Muscular Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Cardiac Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Renal Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Gastrointestinal Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Hepatic Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Pancreatic Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome
• Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome interactions with extra-cellular matrix
• Stem/Progenitor Cells and/or Secretome interactions with neoplastic tissues