Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biodistribution, Migration, and Homing In Vivo
1Departments of Biomedical Engineering and of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, and Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92967, USA
2Department of Molecular Therapeutics, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
3Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London Research Institute, London, UK
4Laboratory of Cell Biology and Advanced Cancer Therapies, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
5Section of Hematology, Stem Cell Research Laboratory and Cell Factory and Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A., 37126 Verona, Italy
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biodistribution, Migration, and Homing In Vivo
Description
Culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also known as multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, are emerging therapeutics being tested in over 200 ongoing clinical trials to treat a variety of inflammatory, ischemic, and neurologic diseases. However, many questions pertaining to the biodistribution of transplanted MSCs, the molecular mechanism that promote their migration to diseased/injured tissues, and if homing is prerequisite for cells to exert their therapeutic effects remain unresolved. In fact, it is a subject of debate whether MSCs localize to tissue due to passive entrapment in small vessels, particularly in lung, or if cells employ active mechanisms similar to leukocytes to home to specific tissues. Therefore, continued study into the mechanism that regulate trafficking of endogenous and transplanted MSCs will shed novel insight into basic MSC biology, and lead to the development of more potent cell-based therapies.
We invite investigators to contribute original research articles that will facilitate our understanding of the biodistribution, migration, and homing of endogeneous and/or transplanted MSCs in vivo. We are particularly interested in articles that focus on mechanistic studies in vivo. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Biodistribution and kinetics of engraftment and clearance of transplanted MSCs in vivo
- Mechanisms of MSC homing to sites of inflammation, injury and tumors in vivo (i.e., role of adhesion molecules, chemokine receptors, MMPs, etc.)
- Mobilization of endogeneous MSCs in response to injury
- Mechanism regulating intravasation/extravasation of endogenous or transplanted MSCs in vivo
- Is MSC homing to the target site a requirement to treat a disease?
- Improved/novel techniques to monitor MSC trafficking/biodistribution in vivo
- Enhancing MSC homing via engineering approaches
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