Stem Cell Strategies in Promoting Neuronal Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition where no effective treatment is available that can enable neuronal regeneration. Many experimental studies demonstrate the therapeutic effect of stem cells in SCI due to their ability to differentiate into neuronal cells and release neurotrophic factors. This review aims to provide an up-to-date summary of the current research status, challenges, and future directions for stem cell therapy in SCI models. Pathophysiology of SCI includes cell death, axonal collapse and demyelination, glial scar formation, inflammation, and other pathological defects. Potential therapeutic interventions target these primary and secondary stages to optimize spinal cord recovery and regeneration. Stem cell-based therapy is a promising treatment for SCI due to its multiple targets and reactivity benefits. This review focuses on SCI stem cell therapy, including bone marrow mes-enchymal stem cells, umbilical mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells, and neural progenitor and embryonic stem cells. Each cell type targets certain features of SCI pathology and shows therapeutic effects via cell replace-ment, nutritional support, scaffolds, and immunomodulation mechanisms.

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  NSC from E14 mice on multichannel PLG scaffold increases density of axons and myelin regeneration and leads to a more rapid and functional recovery
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  A two-component matrix based on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and an anisotropic complex scaffold induced a dramatically stimulated proliferation and neuronal differentiation
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  Plexin-B2 promotes microglia motility, moves IAMs away from colliding cells and facilitates matrix compaction. Deletion of Plexin-B2 in myeloid cells leads to diffuse tissue damage.