Accompanying the aging of the population worldwide, the growing concern emerges about the health and well-being of older adults with chronic diseases. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are age or work related degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, tendons and muscles. MSDs are characterized by loss of bone and joint function that require extensive treatment and long periods of recovery. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading contributors to years lived with disability worldwide, affecting people of all ages but the prevalence peaks in aged population. The major risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders include physical, psychosocial, and individual factors. Musculoskeletal disorders have negative impact on the health quality of life, causing mental and physical stress to people as well as loss of work hours. Consequently, MSDs cause a heavy burden on patients and the whole society.
The underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated for musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding the key factors and signaling involved in this process may greatly facilitate targeted repair and future drug development. Stem cells, due to their high self renewal capacity and differentiation potential, have been highlighted as a promising cell tool for tissue regeneration and engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells as the progenitors for mesenchymal lineages have been intensively investigated for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. Tissue specific progenitor cells may have great potential for the repair of the associated tissue. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a research hotspot is another direction. Combined with the support of synthetic or natural scaffold, stem cells could provide nutrients to local tissues and replenish the lost cell population. Manipulation of the local microenvironment, or genetic modification of stem cells before transplantation may further enhance the regenerative effect of stem cells and benefit musculoskeletal tissue repair.
This Research Topic aims to highlight the recent progress on musculoskeletal disorders and stem cell therapy development. This topic is committed to the publication of Original Research and Review articles on, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Molecular changes in musculoskeletal tissue aging and degeneration
- Degeneration mechanisms of musculoskeletal tissues
- Development of stem cell therapies targeting musculoskeletal tissue repair, using pluripotent stem cells, progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, etc
- Molecular signaling involved in the repair of musculoskeletal tissue by stem cells
- Microenvironment regulation to direct stem cell differentiation into musculoskeletal tissues
- Biomaterials facilitating cell transplantation for musculoskeletal tissue engineering
- Genetic manipulation of stem cells targeting musculoskeletal diseases
- Clinical trials targeting musculoskeletal tissue repair
Accompanying the aging of the population worldwide, the growing concern emerges about the health and well-being of older adults with chronic diseases. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are age or work related degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, tendons and muscles. MSDs are characterized by loss of bone and joint function that require extensive treatment and long periods of recovery. Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading contributors to years lived with disability worldwide, affecting people of all ages but the prevalence peaks in aged population. The major risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders include physical, psychosocial, and individual factors. Musculoskeletal disorders have negative impact on the health quality of life, causing mental and physical stress to people as well as loss of work hours. Consequently, MSDs cause a heavy burden on patients and the whole society.
The underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated for musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding the key factors and signaling involved in this process may greatly facilitate targeted repair and future drug development. Stem cells, due to their high self renewal capacity and differentiation potential, have been highlighted as a promising cell tool for tissue regeneration and engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells as the progenitors for mesenchymal lineages have been intensively investigated for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. Tissue specific progenitor cells may have great potential for the repair of the associated tissue. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a research hotspot is another direction. Combined with the support of synthetic or natural scaffold, stem cells could provide nutrients to local tissues and replenish the lost cell population. Manipulation of the local microenvironment, or genetic modification of stem cells before transplantation may further enhance the regenerative effect of stem cells and benefit musculoskeletal tissue repair.
This Research Topic aims to highlight the recent progress on musculoskeletal disorders and stem cell therapy development. This topic is committed to the publication of Original Research and Review articles on, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Molecular changes in musculoskeletal tissue aging and degeneration
- Degeneration mechanisms of musculoskeletal tissues
- Development of stem cell therapies targeting musculoskeletal tissue repair, using pluripotent stem cells, progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, etc
- Molecular signaling involved in the repair of musculoskeletal tissue by stem cells
- Microenvironment regulation to direct stem cell differentiation into musculoskeletal tissues
- Biomaterials facilitating cell transplantation for musculoskeletal tissue engineering
- Genetic manipulation of stem cells targeting musculoskeletal diseases
- Clinical trials targeting musculoskeletal tissue repair