Elucidating the Pivotal Neuroimmunomodulation of Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury Repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in motor and sensory dysfunction, often due to accidents or falls. Nerve repair is challenging due to the lack of self-repair mechanisms and the presence of factors inhibiting axon regeneration. Stem cells can differentiate into neural cells, replacing damaged cells and providing neurotrophic factors that support neuroprotection, immunomodulation, and axonal regeneration, which are critical for recovery. While stem cells offer therapeutic potential in SCI, a significant risk is the potential for tumor formation due to contamination by undifferentiated cells prior to transplantation.

• 1
  Stem cells can differentiate into neural cells and produce growth factors that promote neuronal survival and axonal regrowth in the SCI microenvironment.
• 2
  Neural stem cells (NSCs) from the spinal cord differ from those in the forebrain, requiring fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) instead of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for in vitro proliferation.
• 3
  Erythropoietin-releasing neural precursors cells (Er-NPCs) have both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions, leading to spinal tissue sparing and creating a positive microenvironment for axonal regeneration.