Innovations in Immunometabolic Treatment and Controlled Release Systems for Bone and Joint Disorders Volume II

Bone and joint disorders have emerged as a significant global health concern, especially prevalent among aging populations. These disorders are characterized by chronic inflammation, degeneration, and tissue injury within the skeletal system, where immune and metabolic dysfunctions are central drivers of disease progression. Furthermore, clinical management is increasingly complicated by common metabolic comorbidities (such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases), as well as concurrent degeneration in periarticular soft tissues (including cartilage, meniscus, tendons, ligaments, and skeletal muscle). Despite the utilization of traditional therapies, current modalities often fall short of reversing structural damage and commonly induce adverse effects over prolonged usage.Following the success of Volume I, this Research Topic (Volume II) aims to further delve into the efficacy, targets, and molecular mechanisms of immunometabolic drugs and innovative drug delivery systems for bone, joint, and associated soft tissue diseases. Recent advancements—such as targeted biologics, monoclonal antibodies, and natural product pharmacology—have highlighted the potential of reprogramming immunometabolic microenvironments. Concurrently, the emergence of advanced biomaterials serving as controlled-release drug delivery platforms offers promising avenues to enhance tissue repair and overcome systemic toxicity.To advance pharmacological discovery and therapeutic strategies in the musculoskeletal field, we welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report, and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following themes:Translational pharmacology: Novel therapeutic applications of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine/natural products in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, gout, and associated periarticular soft tissue diseases (e.g., tendinopathy, ligament injuries, and sarcopenia).Comorbidities and combination therapies: Pharmacological mechanisms, drug-drug interactions, and combined therapeutic strategies for bone and joint disorders co-existing with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular diseases.Molecular targets and immunometabolism: Cellular signaling pathways, cellular senescence, and promising molecular targets regulating musculoskeletal tissue degeneration, inflammation, and regeneration.Targeted formulations and microenvironment modulation: Innovative drug delivery systems that enhance bioavailability and target specificity (e.g., targeting inflamed synovia, senescent cells, or specific immune cell subsets) to modulate both bone and soft tissue microenvironments.Controlled-release systems for drug delivery: Design, formulation, and in vitro/in vivo pharmacological evaluation of controlled-release systems (such as drug-loaded hydrogels, microspheres, nanoparticles, and bio-scaffolds) for musculoskeletal repair. Topic editors: Yun Qian, Shaojie Wang, Zheng Wang, Liangliang Huang, Victor Shahin Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85995/innovations-in-immunometabolic-treatment-and-controlled-release-systems-for-bone-and-joint-disorders-volume-ii