Advances in Cell Transplantation
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2016) | Viewed by 139993
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cell transplantation; cell therapy; paracrine signaling; extracellular vesicles; mesenchymal stem cell immune modulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Cell Transplantation has emerged as a promising field, based on progress in cell and molecular biology allowing isolation, characterization, expansion, and engineering of cells as potential therapeutic tools. Experience in the last two decades yielded significant results in the reconstruction of epithelial tissues, such as the skin or the cornea. However, the use of cells for regeneration of more complex organs, such as the heart or the brain, has met more difficulties, probably due to limited knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cell grafting and integration into host tissues. In other words, as predicted by Neil Theise twenty years ago, knowledge in tissue biology did not parallel progress in cell and molecular biology. The concept of “replacing” diseased or aged organs with younger and more active cells, such as stem cells, has dominated the field for some years. Experimental and clinical evidence now indicates that repopulation of non epithelial tissues with exogenous cells is generally inconsistent, supporting an indirect primary mechanism other than structural integration of transplanted cells at injured site, and it is generally accepted that such underlying mechanisms can be mostly characterized as paracrine effects.
Despite these limitations, with the resulting failures, wave of disillusionment and reduced investments in the first decade of the 2000s, the field of Cell Transplantation is now entering a new phase of growth, propelled by better understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of action, novel applications in oncology as well as by upgraded technology for cell isolation, expansion and delivery under GMP conditions. Such renewed confidence is also testified by the entry of Big Pharma in the field. Critical hurdles still include accurate selection of target indications, predictive markers of response to treatment and economic sustainability. Since Cell Transplantation is often directed to highly selected populations of patients afferent to specialized Clinics, it is mandatory to shape a model of personalized medicine where Industry and Hospitals work in close cooperation.
This Special Issue dedicated to Cell Transplantation will cover the whole pathway translating scientific advances into therapeutic interventions, including in vitro and in vivo studies on mechanisms of action, animal models of target diseases, GMP production, and clinical trials. Original research papers, mini and full reviews and commentaries are all welcome.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maurizio Muraca
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- animal models
- bioreactors
- cell engineering
- cell factory
- cell immunotherapy
- cell transplantation
- clinical trials
- embryonic stem cells
- gmp facility
- induced pluripotent stem cells
- mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
- paracrine signaling
- somatic stem cells
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