Administration of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Relieve the Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a challenging issue for scientists and clinicians. Thus far, no treatments capable of relieving symptoms associated with neuronal loss and functional defects have been developed. However, stem cell therapy has demonstrated considerable promise in overcoming neuronal cell death and glial scarring in the area of damage associated with SCI. A number of studies have demonstrated the therapeutic advantages and clinical applicability of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on the potential benefits of OECs in an SCI animal model and examines partial successes that have been achieved in human clinical trials. We also discuss methods that could further enhance the therapeutic efficacy of these efforts, such as modifying the extracellular matrix to ensure appropriate differentiation and prolong the survival of transplanted cells; and further in situ altering of the spinal cord niche to facilitate the completely therapy of OECs in SCI.