Publication Name	World Journal of Stem Cells
Manuscript ID	117267
Country	China

Category	Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Manuscript Type	Editorial
Article Title	From discarded tissues to therapeutic assets: Optimizing mesenchymal stem cell sources and secretome signatures for clinical translation
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Guan-Yu Chen, Jia-Bing Kang, Wen-Jing Xiang and Meng Liu
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number China Scholarship Council 202408520036
Corresponding Author	Meng Liu, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, No. 130 Huaihai West Road, Xuzhou 221000, Jiangsu Province, China. mengliu@xzhmu.edu.cn
Key Words	Oral stem cells; Regenerative medicine; Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Secretome; Mesenchymal stem cells
Core Tip	This editorial reframes discarded biological tissues, particularly those from oral and maxillofacial surgery, as valuable regenerative assets rather than medical waste. Drawing on comparative insights from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, we highlight how the neural crest origin of dental mesenchymal stem cells endows them with unique secretome signatures and therapeutic potential. Furthermore, we discuss advanced engineering strategies - such as hypoxic preconditioning, three-dimensional culture, and smart hydrogel delivery - to overcome secretome heterogeneity and facilitate the clinical translation of these cell-free therapies for precision regenerative medicine.
Citation	Chen GY, Kang JB, Xiang WJ, Liu M. From discarded tissues to therapeutic assets: Optimizing mesenchymal stem cell sources and secretome signatures for clinical translation. World J Stem Cells 2026; In press

Received	2025-12-03 01:03
Peer-Review Started	2025-12-03 01:04
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-16 07:13
Return for Revision	2025-12-16 07:13
Revised	2025-12-28 08:44
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-02-10 02:45
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-10 10:29
Articles in Press	2026-02-10 10:29
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-0210 (online)
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