From Reprogramming Barriers to Chondrogenic Fate: Integration-Free Platforms and ECM Signalling in Cartilage and Joint Regeneration

This Collection brings together work on the mechanisms governing chondrogenic lineage specification, connecting two fields that have historically developed in parallel: integration-free and transgene-free reprogramming and iPSC engineering, and the developmental biology of cartilage, joint morphogenesis, and ECM-instructed fate decisions. Together, these areas represent a critical interface for advancing safe, reproducible, and developmentally informed strategies for cartilage and joint repair.

We welcome contributions addressing:

Non-integrative and DNA-free reprogramming strategies for generating iPSCs or directly converting cells toward chondrogenic lineages

Transcription factor delivery approaches, including protein transduction, cell-penetrating peptides, and mRNA-based methods, that support safe and clinically translatable cell engineering

Reprogramming barriers, pluripotency exit, and quality control challenges relevant to musculoskeletal applications

ECM and niche signals, including hyaluronan, heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and morphogen gradients, as instructive regulators of chondrocyte specification, maturation, and joint formation

Directed differentiation of iPSCs or mesenchymal progenitors toward articular, growth plate, or fibrocartilage lineages

Developmental programmes, lineage tracing, fate mapping, and morphogenetic patterning, that can inform next-generation in vitro differentiation protocols

Preclinical models and translational frameworks for cartilage repair and osteoarthritis

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
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... 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
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: iPSC reprogramming chondrogenic differentiation extracellular matrix signalling integration-free reprogramming cartilage regeneration joint morphogenesis osteoarthritis

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.