Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) are the leading musculoskeletal causes of disability worldwide, with a considerable loss of productivity and high healthcare costs. Both diseases are associated with severe pain, affecting about 90 % of the over 50 years old (IVD) and more than 50% of the over 65 years old (OA) population. Current treatments, varying from physiotherapy to invasive surgery, carry high costs. These approaches may alleviate pain and improve mobility in the short run, but do not target the underlying causes of cartilaginous tissue degeneration. IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus are tissues that share similarities in cellular metabolism and matrix homeostasis in health and disease. Particularly during pathogenesis, there is a strong interplay between tissue degradation, inflammation and overall immune response, which has not been fully understood so far.
It is essential to identify key molecules and pathways that could be modulated using molecular medicine and tissue engineering strategies to promote cartilaginous tissue repair/regeneration, mainly by modulating the immune response. It should be considered that similar approaches might be effective for IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus. Especially in case of young, active patients, regenerative strategies including administration of bioactive molecules and cell transplantation alone or in combination with scaffolds, have been investigated for IVD regeneration and articular joint repair over the past two decades, showing promising results in vivo and in clinical trials. Nevertheless, for the development of innovative, off-the-shelf and long-term effective regenerative strategies, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and, in particular, the interplay between matrix breakdown and the local and systemic immune response. For instance, the affected IVD or joint presents a hostile inflammatory environment challenging for the long-term effect of homing of native cells or engraftment of transplanted cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need of alternative approaches to modulate the matrix degeneration-associated inflammation, in order to stimulate tissue repair/regeneration.
This Research Topic is dedicated to interesting and innovative research on molecular mechanisms involved in IVD, cartilage and meniscus degeneration or damage, particularly those focused on inflammatory mediators. Further, the Research Topic includes novel approaches in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies for cartilaginous tissue repair/regeneration. We welcome Original Research including basic and translational research, but not clinical trials or case reports, as well as Review articles covering subjects related, but not limited, to:
- In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of IVD, articular cartilage and/or meniscus disorders (incl. mechanical loading, damage, degeneration, inflammation)
- Human IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus tissue investigations (incl. cellular and matrix characterization) in health and disease
- Biomarkers in IVD degeneration and OA
- Biological strategies for IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus repair/regeneration (incl. gene, molecular and cell-based therapies, as well as bioengineering approaches)
- Biomaterials for supplementation,
- Tissue-engineered constructs,
- Biofabrication of relevant tissues and scaffolds
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) are the leading musculoskeletal causes of disability worldwide, with a considerable loss of productivity and high healthcare costs. Both diseases are associated with severe pain, affecting about 90 % of the over 50 years old (IVD) and more than 50% of the over 65 years old (OA) population. Current treatments, varying from physiotherapy to invasive surgery, carry high costs. These approaches may alleviate pain and improve mobility in the short run, but do not target the underlying causes of cartilaginous tissue degeneration. IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus are tissues that share similarities in cellular metabolism and matrix homeostasis in health and disease. Particularly during pathogenesis, there is a strong interplay between tissue degradation, inflammation and overall immune response, which has not been fully understood so far.
It is essential to identify key molecules and pathways that could be modulated using molecular medicine and tissue engineering strategies to promote cartilaginous tissue repair/regeneration, mainly by modulating the immune response. It should be considered that similar approaches might be effective for IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus. Especially in case of young, active patients, regenerative strategies including administration of bioactive molecules and cell transplantation alone or in combination with scaffolds, have been investigated for IVD regeneration and articular joint repair over the past two decades, showing promising results in vivo and in clinical trials. Nevertheless, for the development of innovative, off-the-shelf and long-term effective regenerative strategies, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and, in particular, the interplay between matrix breakdown and the local and systemic immune response. For instance, the affected IVD or joint presents a hostile inflammatory environment challenging for the long-term effect of homing of native cells or engraftment of transplanted cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need of alternative approaches to modulate the matrix degeneration-associated inflammation, in order to stimulate tissue repair/regeneration.
This Research Topic is dedicated to interesting and innovative research on molecular mechanisms involved in IVD, cartilage and meniscus degeneration or damage, particularly those focused on inflammatory mediators. Further, the Research Topic includes novel approaches in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies for cartilaginous tissue repair/regeneration. We welcome Original Research including basic and translational research, but not clinical trials or case reports, as well as Review articles covering subjects related, but not limited, to:
- In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of IVD, articular cartilage and/or meniscus disorders (incl. mechanical loading, damage, degeneration, inflammation)
- Human IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus tissue investigations (incl. cellular and matrix characterization) in health and disease
- Biomarkers in IVD degeneration and OA
- Biological strategies for IVD, articular cartilage and meniscus repair/regeneration (incl. gene, molecular and cell-based therapies, as well as bioengineering approaches)
- Biomaterials for supplementation,
- Tissue-engineered constructs,
- Biofabrication of relevant tissues and scaffolds