Influence of Chemicals on the Cytoskeleton: Modulation of Stem Cell Dynamics
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2022) | Viewed by 7028
Special Issue Editors
Interests: human mesenchymal stem cells; cell senescence; cell biology; cell differentiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: human mesenchymal stem cells; cell senescence; cell biology; cell differentiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: human mesenchymal stem cells; physical energies; regenerative medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Recent evidence highlights that the cytoskeletal dynamics play a pivotal role in mechano-sensing, mechano-transduction, and, consequently, in directing cell fate. In fact, cytoskeleton organization influences cell shape, proliferation, and even differentiation.
Different agents can interfere with cytoskeletal organization: they either disrupt (cytochalasin B and vincristine) or rigidify (jasplakinolide and paclitaxel) microfilaments and microtubules, respectively.
Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation, and trophic signaling that make them highly attractive candidates for cell-therapy approaches. Several chemicals showing effects on the cytoskeleton interfere with MSC proliferation and ability to proceed along different cell lineages. For example, MSCs are more prone to adipogenic commitment when the cells are rounded, actin polymerization or cell spreading are inhibited, and focal adhesion attachment is prevented. On the contrary, osteogenesis requires larger numbers of focal adhesions and a stiff, spread actin cytoskeleton.
This leads the cytoskeleton to become an interesting therapeutic target for novel chemical approaches able to influence stem cell dynamics.
This Special Issue aims to summarize the state-of-the-art and the latest findings published on the cytoskeletal modulation of stem cells, and to elucidate future directions within this context.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
* Use of chemicals/drugs able to influence the structure and function of the cytoskeleton in stem cells;
* Use of natural molecules able to influence the structure and function of the cytoskeleton in stem cells;
* Effects of the reorganization of the cytoskeleton on stem cell dynamics: modulation of cell proliferation, senescence, and/or ability to differentiate.
Dr. Federica Facchin
Prof. Dr. Carlo Ventura
Dr. Silvia Canaider
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- stem cells
- cytoskeleton
- chemicals
- natural molecules
- proliferation
- differentiation
