Cell Therapy Augments Functional Recovery Subsequent to Spinal Cord Injury under Experimental Conditions

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to paralysis, and currently, there's no definitive cure. Recent research using cell therapy in animal models shows promise in aiding recovery. Clinical trials are underway to assess how well cell transplantation works for treating SCI. Various cells, including neural cells from pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, neural stem cells, and glial cells, are being tested in different SCI models. This review emphasizes advancements and gaps in SCI treatment. It discusses epidemiology, pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and various cell therapy strategies in preclinical and clinical injury models. Finally, it addresses the limitations and ethical concerns of using cell therapy to treat SCI.

• 1
  Cell transplantation can enhance neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury by secreting paracrine factors, acting as a scaffold for axonal regrowth, and replacing lost neurons or neural progenitor cells.
• 2
  Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) reduce demyelination, suppress neuroinhibitory molecules, and promote axonal regeneration, making them ideal candidates for cellular therapy due to their availability and subtle immunological complications.
• 3
  Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from fetal sources, when transplanted into SCI models, have shown efficient regeneration of neural structures with functional recovery and reduced inflammatory response.