Mechanism and prospects of mitochondrial transplantation for spinal cord injury treatment

Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-04077-5 · Published: November 22, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves a complex series of reactions where mitochondrial damage and dysfunction play a central role by disrupting energy metabolism. These disruptions worsen the initial injury and hinder nerve regeneration. Strategies like enhancing mitochondrial transport or transplanting mitochondria aim to restore energy supply, modulate inflammation, and prevent cell death, offering potential approaches for SCI repair. Mitochondrial transplantation (MT) has shown promise in preclinical studies by reducing neuronal death, promoting axon regeneration, and regulating signaling pathways involved in cell survival and tissue repair.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Mitochondrial transplantation (MT) reduces neuronal death and promotes axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury by regulating the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
2
MT promotes the expression of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in neurons, which is crucial for myelin regeneration and axonal extension.
3
MT reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), modulates neuronal apoptosis, and inhibits late-stage glial scar formation, promoting tissue repair.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves a continuous and dynamic cascade of complex reactions, with mitochondrial damage and dysfunction-induced energy metabolism disorders playing a central role throughout the process. Given the critical role of energy metabolism disturbances in the pathology of SCI, strategies such as enhancing mitochondrial transport within axons to alleviate local energy deficits, or transplanting autologous or allogeneic mitochondria to restore energy supply to damaged tissues, have emerged as potential approaches for SCI repair. In summary, by reviewing the detailed mechanisms underlying the cascade of pathological processes in SCI, we emphasize the changes in endogenous mitochondria post-SCI and the potential of exogenous MT in SCI repair.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Mitochondrial transplantation (MT) offers a promising therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury (SCI) by restoring energy supply, modulating inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration.

Clinical Applications

MT could be used to reduce neuronal death, enhance axonal regeneration, and decrease glial scar formation in SCI patients, potentially improving motor function recovery.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to determine the optimal sources, dosages, administration methods, and timing of MT for SCI treatment to develop effective clinical protocols.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of guidance regarding sources, dosages, administration methods, and timing of mitochondrial transplantation (MT).
2
Research on mitochondrial transplantation for spinal cord injury is still in its preliminary stages.
3
Specific molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of mitochondrial transplantation require further investigation.

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