Skeletal Muscle Aging and Stem Cells

Aging is accompanied by various physiological changes, one of which is sarcopenia, characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. This condition is particularly prevalent among the elderly and is inversely related to their survival rates. The deterioration in muscle function is largely attributed to the declining regenerative abilities of muscle satellite cells—a type of stem cell responsible for muscle repair. Recent studies indicate that this decline is not only due to changes in the satellite cells themselves but also in the cells' surrounding niche, prompting a need for therapeutic strategies that can rejuvenate these crucial cells.

This Research Topic aims to deepen understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning muscle loss associated with aging and to explore stem cell-based interventions for muscle regeneration. It seeks to investigate both the biological basis of age-related muscle atrophy and the potential of various stem cell therapies, including innovative approaches to manipulate gene expression within muscle satellite cells to restore their functionality.

To gather further insights into these complex interactions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o In vitro modeling of skeletal muscle aging and diseases using muscle stem cells

o In vitro modeling of skeletal muscle aging and diseases using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)

o 2D and 3D cultures of muscle stem cells isolated from aging muscle

o Muscle stem cells or iPSCs-mediated high throughput screening of small molecules for drug discovery for age-related muscle loss

o Skeletal muscle regeneration and muscle stem cell behavior in aging muscle

o Transplantation protocols of muscle stem cells or progenitors for age-related muscle loss

o Evaluation of skeletal muscle histology and function following transplantation of muscle stem cells for age-related muscle loss

The Research Topic welcomes original articles, short papers, and review articles that contribute to our understanding of these crucial areas.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Muscle stem cell, Satellite cell, Muscle regeneration, Muscular dystrophy, Sarcopenia, Muscle atrophy, iPSCs, Myogenesis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.