Schwann cell transplantation for spinal cord injury repair: its significant therapeutic potential and prospectus

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair. The introduction of SCs into the injured spinal cord has been shown to reduce tissue loss, promote axonal regeneration, and facilitate myelination of axons for improved sensorimotor function. The pathology of spinal cord injury (SCI) comprises multiple processes characterized by extensive cell death, development of a milieu inhibitory to growth, and glial scar formation, which together limits axonal regeneration. Many studies have suggested that significant functional recovery following SCI will not be possible with a single therapeutic strategy. The use of additional approaches with SC transplantation may be needed for successful axonal regeneration and sufficient functional recovery after SCI. An example of such a combination strategy with SC transplantation has been the complementary administration of neuroprotective agents/growth factors, which improves the effect of SCs after SCI. Suspension of SCs in bioactive matrices can also enhance transplanted SC survival and increase their capacity for supporting axonal regeneration in the injured spinal cord. Inhibition of glial scar formation produces a more permissive interface between the SC transplant and host spinal cord for axonal growth. Co-transplantation of SCs and other types of cells such as olfactory ensheathing cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells, and neural stem cells can be a more effective therapy than transplantation of SCs alone following SCI. This article reviews some of the evidence supporting the combination of SC transplantation with additional strategies for SCI repair and presents a prospectus for achieving better outcomes for persons with SCI.</jats:p>

Salidroside promotes peripheral nerve regeneration based on tissue engineering strategy using Schwann cells and PLGA: in vitro and in vivo

“…It has been used as carrier for various cells to restore injured nerve910. Among the cells, Schwann cells (SCs) which can stimulate the axonal growth, myelinate regenerating axons and reduce cyst formation and secondary damages to the tissue are promising11. The beneficial effects of transplanted Schwann cells have been clearly demonstrated in several animal studies121314.…”

Cell transplantation strategies for acquired and inherited disorders of peripheral myelin

“…Schwann cells can be cultured from a sural nerve biopsy as an expandable autologous cell source, and this strategy has been extensively investigated for use in spinal cord injury 43. However, autologous Schwann cells would not be appropriate for patients with inherited myelin disorders, and obtaining them necessitates damage of a functioning nerve.…”

The fate and function of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells after traumatic spinal cord injury

“…The transplantation of cells into the injured spinal cord with the aim of producing new oligodendrocytes or Schwann cells has been frequently pursued to improve remyelination, and is the topic of several thorough reviews (Assinck, Duncan, Hilton, et al, 2017;Kanno, Pearse, Ozawa, Itoi, & Bunge, 2015;Myers et al, 2016). Transplanted cells will be in competition with endogenous OPC-derived remyelinating cells, which are capable of efficient, if somewhat delayed, remyelination.…”