Mesenchymal (or stromal) stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors defined by robust self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacities. While MSCs have long been appreciated for generating mesodermal lineages such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes, emerging evidence also highlights their remarkable plasticity, including the ability to give rise to neural-like cells under defined conditions. MSCs are characterized by the expression of surface markers such as CD105, CD73, and CD90, along with the absence of hematopoietic and immune markers (CD45, CD34, CD14, CD11b, CD79a, CD19, and HLA-DR). Importantly, these cells are readily isolated from a variety of adult and perinatal tissues—including bone marrow, adipose tissue, dental pulp, dermis, periosteum, salivary glands, endometrium, peripheral or menstrual blood, and synovial fluid.
Beyond their differentiation potential, MSCs exhibit low immunogenicity and powerful immunomodulatory properties, which, together with their paracrine and trophic activities, underpin their promise for regenerative medicine. In the context of neurological disorders—such as neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic injuries, and traumatic CNS damage—progressive neuronal loss and lack of effective conventional therapies highlight the urgent need for novel interventions. The growing body of research suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in brain diseases stems from two main features: a) Neural Differentiation and b) Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Actions.
This Research Topic invites submissions that explore both these pivotal aspects of MSC biology as applied to brain diseases and neurological injuries. Relevant areas include, but are not limited to:
• Mechanisms of Neural Differentiation: Studies unraveling the molecular pathways and signals that drive or inhibit the neural commitment of MSCs under physiological and pathological conditions. • Comparative Efficacy and Source Diversity: Direct comparisons of neural differentiation capacities among MSCs sourced from different tissues, including adult and perinatal origins • MSC-mediated Neuroprotection and Neurorestoration: Research using reprogrammed MSCs or their neural derivatives to model disease or assess integration in neural circuits. • o Exosomes and extracellular vesicles: Investigations into paracrine mechanisms, focusing on how MSC-derived vesicles contribute to neuroprotection, immunomodulation, and regeneration. • Novel protocols and bioactive compounds: Development and comparison of differentiation protocols, including the use of small molecules or natural compounds that optimize neural lineage specification. • Preclinical and clinical applications: Studies—including animal models—evaluating the efficacy and safety of MSC-based interventions in conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. • Bioinformatics and -omics: Integrative analyses elucidating gene regulatory networks, transcriptomic and proteomic landscapes underlying MSC neural plasticity. • Disease Modeling and Functional Integration: Using MSC-derived neural cells or iPSC derivatives in disease models to assess neuronal integration, circuit repair, or functional recovery.
By uniting the latest advances in MSC neural differentiation and neuro-restoration, this Research Topic aims to catalyze the development of effective MSC-based cellular therapies for brain disorders—advancing both basic understanding and clinical translation for neurological health.
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
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