Cellular and paracrine targets

The term 'Cellular and paracrine targets' refers to a broad conceptual category rather than a specific molecular entity like a receptor or enzyme. It encompasses the various cell types and the local signaling environment—specifically paracrine signaling, where cells communicate with nearby neighbors via secreted factors—that a therapy aims to influence (Gnecchi et al., 2016, PubMed). This terminology is most common in the fields of regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies, such as those involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), where the therapeutic effect is often mediated by a complex 'secretome' of cytokines and growth factors rather than a single drug-receptor interaction (Caplan & Correa, 2011, PubMed). Cellular targets in this context might include resident stem cells or immune cells, while paracrine targets include the signaling molecules and their respective receptors within the tissue microenvironment. Because this phrase describes a multi-faceted physiological process involving numerous proteins and cell types, it is considered too broad to be a discrete therapeutic target. It lacks a single canonical structure, specific interacting drugs, or a unified mechanism of action, making it a descriptive classification for complex biological interactions (PMC4131274). Consequently, it is often used in research to describe the holistic impact of a treatment on a tissue system rather than a targeted molecular intervention.

Other names

Cellular targetsParacrine signaling targetsLocal signaling targets

Not applicable as this is a broad category of targets rather than a single molecule.