Growth factors refer to a class of biologically active substances that regulate cell growth and development. They regulate the proliferation and differentiation of various cells through autocrine and paracrine methods. In the spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury, due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and other factors, the survival environment of cells deteriorates sharply. However, as an effective tissue-protective substance, most growth factors are only expressed in a small amount in a short period. Therefore, exogenous growth factor therapy is very important for the recovery of tissue injury.
The current evidence shows that tissue regeneration can achieve by promoting the physiological healing process. After tissue damage, the repair speed decreased due to tissue loss. Stem cell is an important source of exogenous repair cells that can accelerate damage repair. Nowadays, the range of stem cells have been extensively studied, comprising neural stem cells (NSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Research shows that stem cells can “perceive” the local environment, and perform tissue cell proliferation and differentiation according to the corresponding microenvironment or stimuli. When it refers to the application of regenerative pharmacology, understanding the signaling pathways for stem cells to work can better realize the effects in tissue engineering. It is shown that growth factors are likely to provide a favorable platform for stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Therefore, further exploration is in need, particularly the mechanisms of growth factors in stem cell and tissue regeneration, therefore, to maximize tissue remodeling/regeneration effectiveness and minimize the host immune response of transplanted cells.
In this Research Topic, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of growth factors and/or stem cells, ranging from basic research to clinical translational studies, are highly recommended. We encourage authors to submit original research, reviews, case studies, opinions, and perspectives including but not limited to any one or more of the following themes.
• The applications of growth factors and/or stem cells in the spinal cord and peripheral nerve regeneration: pharmacological effects and mechanisms of directly promoting regeneration.
• The pharmacological effects of growth factors and/or stem cells on the spinal cord and peripheral nerve regeneration: the indirect pharmacological effects of regulating angiogenesis and microenvironment promote nerve regeneration
• The potential roles of growth factors and/or stem cells in treating spinal cord and peripheral nerve diseases.
• Optimization of growth factors and directional induction of stem cell differentiation in combination with bioactive materials.
• The roles and pharmacological effects of growth factors and/or stem cells in the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, intracellular signaling, and emerging research areas.
• Pre-clinical, and clinical studies on the applications of growth factors and/or stem cells.
Growth factors refer to a class of biologically active substances that regulate cell growth and development. They regulate the proliferation and differentiation of various cells through autocrine and paracrine methods. In the spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury, due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and other factors, the survival environment of cells deteriorates sharply. However, as an effective tissue-protective substance, most growth factors are only expressed in a small amount in a short period. Therefore, exogenous growth factor therapy is very important for the recovery of tissue injury.
The current evidence shows that tissue regeneration can achieve by promoting the physiological healing process. After tissue damage, the repair speed decreased due to tissue loss. Stem cell is an important source of exogenous repair cells that can accelerate damage repair. Nowadays, the range of stem cells have been extensively studied, comprising neural stem cells (NSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Research shows that stem cells can “perceive” the local environment, and perform tissue cell proliferation and differentiation according to the corresponding microenvironment or stimuli. When it refers to the application of regenerative pharmacology, understanding the signaling pathways for stem cells to work can better realize the effects in tissue engineering. It is shown that growth factors are likely to provide a favorable platform for stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Therefore, further exploration is in need, particularly the mechanisms of growth factors in stem cell and tissue regeneration, therefore, to maximize tissue remodeling/regeneration effectiveness and minimize the host immune response of transplanted cells.
In this Research Topic, the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of growth factors and/or stem cells, ranging from basic research to clinical translational studies, are highly recommended. We encourage authors to submit original research, reviews, case studies, opinions, and perspectives including but not limited to any one or more of the following themes.
• The applications of growth factors and/or stem cells in the spinal cord and peripheral nerve regeneration: pharmacological effects and mechanisms of directly promoting regeneration.
• The pharmacological effects of growth factors and/or stem cells on the spinal cord and peripheral nerve regeneration: the indirect pharmacological effects of regulating angiogenesis and microenvironment promote nerve regeneration
• The potential roles of growth factors and/or stem cells in treating spinal cord and peripheral nerve diseases.
• Optimization of growth factors and directional induction of stem cell differentiation in combination with bioactive materials.
• The roles and pharmacological effects of growth factors and/or stem cells in the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, intracellular signaling, and emerging research areas.
• Pre-clinical, and clinical studies on the applications of growth factors and/or stem cells.
