Age-related musculoskeletal diseases are a significant public health concern that critically impacts the motor functions and the quality of life in the elderly. The musculoskeletal system supports the movement of the entire body, but aging disrupts skeletal homeostasis, leading to bone loss and degenerative diseases such as lumbar muscle degeneration, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), Osteoarthritis (OA) and Osteoporosis (OP). Moreover, the incidence of these musculoskeletal diseases is increasing each year, contributing to a substantial social and economic burden worldwide. Although drugs such as bisphosphonates, recombinant human parathyroid hormone, denosumab, and paracetamol are available in clinic, their effectiveness is often limited due to side effects and the overall poor health of elderly patients.

With rapid developments in technologies and materials for analyzing and treating skeletal degenerative diseases, our understanding of these disorders is continuously deepening. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell sequencing allow for detailed mapping of cell populations within complex tissues, providing insights into cellular heterogeneity, crosstalk, and interactions. Large-scale high-throughput genomics analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based deep learning accelerate our understanding of disease mechanisms, the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and the discovery of biologically active natural compounds. Moreover, detailed molecular profiles for individual patients can also be generated, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies. Although innovations in stem cell therapy, exosome therapy, and biomaterials therapy continue to emerge, their effectiveness can often be limited without knowing the detailed information on gene expression, genetic mutations, and other molecular features at the single-cell level. Therefore, a deeper integration and understanding of single-cell sequencing with current treatment methods are necessary. More importantly, it is crucial to explore the availability and application of these novel approaches in treating bone degenerative diseases.

This research topic aims to deepen our understanding of crosstalk among various cell populations within the microenvironment of bone degenerative diseases, decipher potential signaling cascades and interactions, and discover novel therapeutic targets. It also seeks to explore the application of advanced materials and approaches in treating these diseases and provide concrete suggestions for possible new treatments based on the practical relevance of its findings.

We welcome the submission of all kinds of articles that align with the following areas of interest, including but not limited to):
-Crosstalk and interactions among cell populations within microenvironment of skeletal degenerative diseases.
-Identification of potential resident cells such as stem and progenitor cells, immune cells, etc., along with their signaling pathways and cascade responses.
-Advanced techniques and methods to decipher alterations in cell populations, cellular heterogeneity, spatiotemporal relations, and interactions within complex tissues.
-Utilization of advanced techniques, including high-throughput virtual screening, AI, and deep learning in discovering novel natural compounds for treating bone degenerative diseases.
-Discovery and application of novel materials and methods for treating bone degenerative diseases, including stem cell therapy, exosome therapy, and biomaterials therapy.
-Design, utilization, and observation of novel devices or surgical approaches for treating bone degenerative diseases in clinical.

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Frontiers in Medicine

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