Neural Differentiation and Neurorestorative Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Brain Disorders, Volume II

This Research Topic follows the successful Volume I, which explored the cellular mechanisms underlying the neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors defined by robust self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacities. While MSCs are widely recognized for generating mesodermal lineages, emerging evidence highlights their remarkable neurogenic plasticity, including their capacity to transition toward neural-like lineages and promote endogenous tissue repair. Beyond direct cellular differentiation, the low immunogenicity, powerful immunomodulatory properties, and diverse paracrine secretomes of MSCs underpin their exceptional promise in regenerative neurology.For neurological conditions—ranging from acute ischemic injuries and spinal cord trauma to progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s—traditional pharmacological interventions remain limited. Over the last decade, preclinical and early clinical evaluations have shown that MSCs offer therapeutic hope through dual pathways: direct neural differentiation and targeted neurorestorative/neuroprotective action.Following the successful closure of Volume I, which highlighted the cellular mechanics of MSC differentiation, Volume II expands this focus by explicitly embracing the fastest-growing frontier in the field: MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Emerging data indicate that MSC-derived EVs hold unique immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and regenerative properties that mirror, and sometimes exceed, the therapeutic benefits of intact stem cells.This Research Topic invites Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Perspective articles bridging basic molecular physiology and translational neurology. We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following core themes:• Mechanisms of MSC Neural Differentiation: Molecular pathways, epigenetic regulators, and signalling networks guiding or restricting neural-lineage commitment.• MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes: Paracrine mechanisms of action, profiling of EV cargo (miRNAs, proteins), and therapeutic utility of MSC-secreted vesicles in neuroprotection and immunomodulation.• Preclinical and Translational Studies: In vivo safety and efficacy models of MSCs or their derived EVs in CNS trauma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders.• Innovative Protocols and Biomaterials: Optimization of neurogenic differentiation using small molecules, bio-scaffolds, nanotechnology, or natural compounds.• Comparative Efficacy by Source: Dissecting functional differences among MSCs derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, dental pulp, umbilical cord, or other perinatal tissues.• Omics and Systems Biology: Transcriptomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches to map MSC plasticity, paracrine signaling, and cell-host interactions.• Disease Modelling and Functional Integration: Utilizing MSC-derived neural cells in disease models to evaluate functional integration, synaptic connectivity, and circuit repair.By uniting the latest advances in MSC neural differentiation, extracellular vesicle biology, and neuro-restoration, this Research Topic aims to catalyze the development of effective MSC-based cellular therapies for brain disorders — advancing both basic understanding and clinical translation for neurological health. Topic editors: Debora Lo Furno, Giuliana Mannino, Dirk M. Hermann, Ivana Roberta Romano Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83654/neural-differentiation-and-neurorestorative-effects-of-mesenchymal-stem-cells-in-brain-disorders-volume-ii