Spinal Cord Injury: Animal Models, Imaging Tools and the Treatment Strategies

Stem Cell Conditioned Medium Treatment for Canine Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot Feasibility Study

“…There are therefore, still major challenges in designing advantageous therapies for such a complex scenario as SCI [ 12 ]. Experimental approaches using different types of stem cells or even their conditioned medium are undergoing extensive research [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Adult mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy in general modulates oxidative stress, and secreted cytokines and growth factors have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects [ 17 ].…”

“…Adult mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy in general modulates oxidative stress, and secreted cytokines and growth factors have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic effects [ 17 ]. Although promising results from experimental stem cell research (rats, mice) have been achieved, most of these strategies do not translate into clinical practice due to loss of efficiency in human trials [ 16 ]. Thus, there is a need to test these strategies on larger animals which more closely resemble the anatomy and immune response in humans, and which allow us a sufficiently long follow-up observation period.…”

“…Dogs with SCI are nowadays recognized as an important translational model for filling the gap between experimental rodent models and clinical practice [ 16 ]. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) generated from adult and neonatal tissues have been enrolled for experimental treatment of canine SCI [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Based on our knowledge from in vitro MSC profiling [ 17 ] and in vivo SCI treatment strategies [ 16 ], we have designed a pilot study involving clients’ dogs with naturally-occurring SCI. The main goal of our study was to design and optimize the treatment protocol for canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (BMMSC CM) delivery and rehabilitation in dogs suffering from chronic SCI.…”

Introduction: Special Issue in Honor of Eva Syková

“…Glial Cells are covered by Shulyatnikova and Verkhratsky [41], Smith et al [42], Stenovec et al [43], and Verkhratsky and Chvátal [44]. Finally, Injury and Repair feature in the papers of Cizkova et al [45], Fawcett [46], Jiráková et al [47], Kubinová [48], Murgoci et al [49], Roitbak [50], Vymetalova et al [51], and Wilhelmsson et al [52].…”