Cell Microenvironment
A section of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Section Information
The “Cell Microenvironment” section of Cells aims to publish experimental findings and reviews that provide novel insights and/or conceptual advances to understand bidirectional interactions between diverse cell types and their microenvironment, which includes other cells, interstitial fluid, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) with associated signaling molecules. The focus is on the formation and remodeling of cell microenvironment under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and its role in governing cell and tissue architecture and function through signaling pathways mediated by cell adhesion molecules, mechanosensitive channels, and receptors to ECM, growth factors, cytokines and neurotransmitters. Relevant research topics in this interdisciplinary field include, but not limited to, the ECM remodeling, mechanotransduction, stem-cell niche, tumor microenvironment, perineuronal nets and synaptic microenvironment, reconstitution and repair of cell microenvironments by injectable ECM scaffolds, gene therapy and pharmacological targeting, experimental modeling of microenvironment using micropatterning and microfluidics, and systems biology of cell microenvironment.
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- New Concepts Relating Mesenchymal Tumors Based on Genetics and Epigenetics (Deadline: 20 March 2026)
- Targeting Tumor Microenvironments for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy (Deadline: 20 March 2026)
- Lung Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities (Deadline: 31 March 2026)
- The Interplay Between Tumor Metabolism, Microenvironment and Cell Survival (Deadline: 31 March 2026)
- Telomere Maintenance and Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Microenvironment (Deadline: 30 April 2026)
- State-of-the-Art Insights into the Cell Microenvironment (Deadline: 20 May 2026)
- Role of Lysosomes in Mediating Cancer Drug Resistance (Deadline: 31 May 2026)
- Progress of Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Cancers (Deadline: 20 June 2026)
- Thoracic Tumors: Decoding Cellular Heterogeneity, Tumor Microenvironment Crosstalk, and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities (Deadline: 30 June 2026)
- Extracellular Vesicles and Cell Therapies in Regenerative Nephrology and Urology (Deadline: 30 June 2026)
- Cancer and Immune System Interactions (Deadline: 20 July 2026)
- The Roles of the Extracellular Matrix in Cardiac Structure and Function: A Commemorative Issue in Honor of Dr. Thomas K. Borg (Deadline: 20 July 2026)
- Mechanisms of Lung Growth and Regeneration (Deadline: 31 July 2026)
- How Can We Optimise Cancer Therapy? Tumour Microenvironment and Immune Evasion Strategies (Deadline: 31 July 2026)
- The Circulating Tumor Microenvironment (cTME): Emerging Taxonomies and Multimodal Landscapes (Deadline: 20 August 2026)
- The Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of the Tumor Microenvironment (Deadline: 31 August 2026)
- Targeting Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Resistance and Innovative Therapeutic Strategies (Deadline: 15 September 2026)
- Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Challenges and Directions—Second Edition (Deadline: 20 September 2026)
- Emerging Targets and Therapeutic Potential Drugs in Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance (Deadline: 20 October 2026)
- Mechanobiological Regulation of Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Phenotype Transition (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Cellular Differentiation in Health and Disease (Deadline: 25 November 2026)
- How Does Gene Regulation Affect Cancer Development? (Deadline: 30 November 2026)
- Harnessing the Tumor Microenvironment and Signaling Pathways for Precision Cancer Therapy (Deadline: 30 November 2026)
Topical Collections
Following topical collections within this section are currently open for submissions:
