Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine

As the name implies, the Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine provides a forum for the publication of research in the fields of either immunology or regenerative medicine. Although the submission of manuscripts focussed specifically on either field is welcomed, the journal has a particular interest in the overlap between the two disciplines. Consequently, we strongly encourage the submission of research that explores the essential role played by the immune system in tissue and organ development, maintenance, response to environmental stressors, response to injury and in the processes of tissue repair and regeneration.

The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TE/RM) has only recently recognized the potential benefits of modulating or instructing the immune system, rather than suppressing the immune response, as a viable strategy for promoting tissue reconstruction and improving functional outcomes. Biomaterials, both synthetic and naturally-occurring, play an important role in TE/RM strategies. Therefore, it is only logical that the immune response to biomaterials is a critical consideration with respect to clinical outcomes.

Similarly, the immunology community has only recently recognized the potential benefits of cross-disciplinary interactions between biomaterials and stem cell scientists who target regenerative medicine applications and clinical translation. The immunomodulatory effects of various stem and tissue progenitor cells, signaling molecules derived from extracellular matrix, and the essential contribution of regulatory macrophages, T-cells, and other immune cells in functional tissue restoration and maintenance has also taken center stage.

These newly recognized targets of research and development provide exciting opportunities for immunologists, regenerative medicine scientists, biomaterial and stem cell scientists and clinicians alike. The Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine provides a venue for publication of this research. The journal will accept basic and applied research manuscripts, selected review articles, clinical study reports, and short communications for peer review and publication. We also publish invited commentaries on selected papers published in the journal. The Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine aims to support conferences and symposia on topics within its remit through the publication of meeting reports. The Editors would, therefore, welcome suggestions from event organisers who would like to submit a meeting report in order to increase the impact of their conference through the dissemination of research findings and discussion to a broader audience.

Scope of Subject Matter:
The Journal of Immunology and Regenerative Medicine invites manuscripts in the following areas, although the list is not intended to be exclusive and should be considered merely as a guide. We would welcome authors of research in subjects areas not directly listed to contact the Editors to discuss the relevance of their proposed manuscript to the journal.

Immunology
•Basic research into innate and adaptive components of the immune system
•Inflammatory mediators and the role played by inflammation in tissue repair
•Characterisation and function of immunological cell types
•Strategies for vaccination to infectious microorganisms
•Strategies for cancer immunotherapy, including the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors
•Regulation of the immune response
•Induction of immunological tolerance

Regenerative Medicine
•Strategies for reprogramming both in vitro and in vivo
•Directed differentiation of stem cells into cell types of therapeutic value
•The development of organoids and their application
•Manufacture of cell types through scale up of the differentiation process
•Use of biomaterials, either synthetic or naturally occurring, to promote the repair of injured or missing tissues and organs
•The use of naturally occurring materials for the culture of stem cells and differentiated parenchymal cells
•Identification and characterisation of stem cell niches

Overlap between Immunology and Regenerative Medicine
•Differentiation of immunological cell types from pluripotent stem cells
•Modulation of the immune response to stem cells, tissues and organoids
•The role of the innate and adaptive immune system in tissue repair, regeneration or replacement
•Cross talk between stem cells and components of the immune system
•The host response to biomaterials
•The role of the immune system in tissue and organ development
•Nanoparticles as immune modulators
•Animal models that facilitate exploration of the role of the immune system in TE/RM strategies
•The effects of aging upon the immune system and its role in TE/RM