Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Biology, Therapeutic Potential, and Translational Challenges

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have garnered significant attention in stem cell biology due to their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory effects, and potential for clinical translation. Originating from various tissues such as bone marrow, adipose, and umbilical cord, MSCs play crucial roles in tissue homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. Over the past decades, research into MSC biology has deepened our understanding of their mechanisms of action, while translational studies have highlighted their promise and limitations in treating a variety of disorders. Despite this progress, numerous questions remain concerning MSC characterization, functionality, potency, and safety, necessitating further exploration and standardization.

This Research Topic aims to gather cutting-edge research, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives dedicated to mesenchymal stromal cell biology, technological innovations, and applications. By bringing together a variety of article types, it seeks to clarify outstanding issues, stimulate discussion, and promote the development of MSC-based therapies.

Areas to be covered might include, but are not limited to:

o Molecular and Functional Characterization of MSCs: isolation strategies, heterogeneity, surface marker profiles, multilineage differentiation potential, and advances in functional assays.

o MSCs in Immunomodulation and Tissue Regeneration: mechanisms of immunomodulation, paracrine signaling, cross-talk with immune and tissue cells, and experimental evidence of tissue repair and regeneration

o Genomic, Epigenomic, and Proteomic Regulation of MSCs: insights into genetic, epigenetic, and proteomic factors governing MSC fate, plasticity, senescence, and response to environmental cues.

o Translational Challenges in MSC Research: immunogenicity, tumorigenic potential, in vivo tracking and homing, engraftment, challenges in standardization, and quality control in fundamental research.

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: mesenchymal stromal cells, stem cell, stem cell research, MSC clinical translation, MSC immunomodulatory effects, MSC therapy, translational cell biology, regenerative medicine, cell therapy

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.