The role of hepatocyte growth factor in mesenchymal stem cell-induced recovery in spinal cord injured rats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) because they create a supportive environment that helps nerve cells regenerate and reduces inflammation, leading to improved neurological function. This study found that the beneficial effects of MSCs in treating SCI in rats are mainly due to a specific factor they secrete: hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HGF promotes the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons and reduces inflammation at the injury site, leading to better recovery. Blocking HGF's activity reverses these benefits.

• 1
  Conditioned medium from bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) promotes neural stem cell differentiation into neurons and neurite outgrowth by inhibiting the BMP/Smad signaling pathway.
• 2
  HGF supplementation mimics the beneficial effects of BMSC-CM, while blocking HGF's receptor (c-Met) reverses the functional improvements mediated by BMSC-CM.
• 3
  The MSC-associated biological effects on SCI recovery depend largely on HGF secretion.