Regeneration of articular cartilage damaged by trauma or arthritis has been a challenging area in regenerative medicine. Although there are several treatment options for articular cartilage defects including microfracture (MF) and osteochondral autograft transplant (OC/AT), the autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been considered as a most promising modality to combat this unmet challenge. However, given the limited resource of autologous articular chondrocytes and potential donor site morbidity, it is inevitable and urgent to explore alternative cell sources for ACI procedures in the face of rapidly growing cases in younger patients and aging population.
Mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells (MPCs/MSCs) have been one of the most studied cell types for tissue engineering/regeneration, including articular cartilage. They provide a practical and promising alternative cell source for ACI. However, the inducible chondrogenic potentials and inductive protocols for these cells remain insufficient and inconsistent. Furthermore, formation of fibrocartilage and/or ossification of the regenerated cartilage were common outcomes in preclinical large animal studies.
The goal of this research topic is to promote studies working on MPC/MSC-based therapy for treating articular cartilage defects. We wish to collect articles that will help our understanding of this process from all aspects – from identifying new sources of MPCs, to improving their chondrogenic differentiation for use in ACI, to improving the long-term outcome of this procedure. By understanding the processes taking place at both molecular and cellular levels, a step forward can be taken in efficient articular cartilage regeneration.
This Research Topic intends to publish research, methodology, and review articles on areas including, but not limited to, the followings:
• Characterization of novel sources or subpopulations of MPCs with superior chondrogenic potential. The use of advanced tools including single-cell RNAseq and other computational biology means is encouraged.
• Identification and functional validation of novel factors and biomaterials capable of accelerating chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage formation by endogenous or exogenous MPCs
• Reproducible protocols of isolation and expansion of ACI candidate cells of MPCs origin
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of chondrogenic induction in MPCs
Preclinical use of large animals (pig, sheep, goat, dog, etc.) for experimental treatment of articular cartilage defects with or without exogenous application of MPCs
Regeneration of articular cartilage damaged by trauma or arthritis has been a challenging area in regenerative medicine. Although there are several treatment options for articular cartilage defects including microfracture (MF) and osteochondral autograft transplant (OC/AT), the autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been considered as a most promising modality to combat this unmet challenge. However, given the limited resource of autologous articular chondrocytes and potential donor site morbidity, it is inevitable and urgent to explore alternative cell sources for ACI procedures in the face of rapidly growing cases in younger patients and aging population.
Mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells (MPCs/MSCs) have been one of the most studied cell types for tissue engineering/regeneration, including articular cartilage. They provide a practical and promising alternative cell source for ACI. However, the inducible chondrogenic potentials and inductive protocols for these cells remain insufficient and inconsistent. Furthermore, formation of fibrocartilage and/or ossification of the regenerated cartilage were common outcomes in preclinical large animal studies.
The goal of this research topic is to promote studies working on MPC/MSC-based therapy for treating articular cartilage defects. We wish to collect articles that will help our understanding of this process from all aspects – from identifying new sources of MPCs, to improving their chondrogenic differentiation for use in ACI, to improving the long-term outcome of this procedure. By understanding the processes taking place at both molecular and cellular levels, a step forward can be taken in efficient articular cartilage regeneration.
This Research Topic intends to publish research, methodology, and review articles on areas including, but not limited to, the followings:
• Characterization of novel sources or subpopulations of MPCs with superior chondrogenic potential. The use of advanced tools including single-cell RNAseq and other computational biology means is encouraged.
• Identification and functional validation of novel factors and biomaterials capable of accelerating chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage formation by endogenous or exogenous MPCs
• Reproducible protocols of isolation and expansion of ACI candidate cells of MPCs origin
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of chondrogenic induction in MPCs
Preclinical use of large animals (pig, sheep, goat, dog, etc.) for experimental treatment of articular cartilage defects with or without exogenous application of MPCs
