Potential role of stem cells in severe spinal cord injury: current perspectives and clinical data

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI) along with new pharmacotherapy research offers the potential to restore function and ease the associated social and economic burden in the years ahead. Various sources of stem cells have been used in the treatment of SCI, but the most convincing results have been obtained with neural progenitor cells in preclinical models. Although the use of cell-based transplantation strategies for the repair of chronic SCI remains the long sought after holy grail, these approaches have been to date the most successful when applied in the subacute phase of injury. Application of cell-based strategies for the repair and regeneration of the chronically injured spinal cord will require a combinational strategy that may need to include approaches to overcome the effects of the glial scar, inhibitory molecules, and use of tissue engineering strategies to bridge the lesion. Nonetheless, cell transplantation strategies are promising, and it is anticipated that the Phase I clinical trials of some form of neural stem cell-based approach in SCI will commence very soon.

Neural stem/progenitor cell‐laden microfibers promote transplant survival in a mouse transected spinal cord injury model

“…Key words: spinal cord injury; neural stem/progenitor cell; biomaterial; microfiber Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) into the lesioned spinal cord is now considered a possible treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). Most previous investigations with animal models have achieved a therapeutic effect only at the subacute stage of incomplete SCI (Enzmann et al, 2006;Salazar et al, 2010;Tsuji et al, 2010;Paspala et al, 2012). To achieve a curative action of NS/PC transplantation in chronic SCI, adjustment of the microenvironment in the injured spinal cord is required (Kumamaru et al, 2013;Nishimura et al, 2013).…”

Efficacy and safety of bone marrow‐derived cell transplantation for spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

“…Thus, it is timely to critically review the trials in SCI with respect to methodology, trial design, transplantation strategy, and outcome measures with the aim of treating SCI. There is also a need to provide clarity for professionals and consumers who are uncertain about the effectiveness of many of the current clinical strategies that are being offered worldwide . Here, we reviewed most of the human studies of BMDC transplantation in the treatment of SCI that have been performed to date.…”

Stem Cells and Labeling for Spinal Cord Injury

“…Successful implementation of stem cell therapies for SCI requires a better understanding of cell fate after transplantation [ 37 ]. For both research and clinical purposes, tracking of SCs after their transplantation is crucial for determination of their migration, distribution, viability, and final differentiation [ 38 ]. Cell tracking can be performed by labeling cells with molecular probes that enter the cell and are trapped intracellularly (e.g., direct labeling) [ 37 ].…”