Molecular Medicine Reports, 2020 · DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11565 · Published: July 6, 2020
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disorder that often results in temporary and/or permanent functional impairment below the injured level. Cell transplantation therapy, particularly using neuronal stem cells (NSCs), is being explored as a promising therapeutic strategy. Preconditioning NSCs with specific substances, like high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), can improve their survival and effectiveness after transplantation. This study investigates whether preconditioning NSCs with HMGB1 can improve functional recovery after SCI in rats. The researchers examined the effects of transplanting HMGB1-preconditioned NSCs on motor function, pain sensitivity, and tissue regeneration in rats with SCI. The results suggest that transplanting NSCs preconditioned with HMGB1 can facilitate functional improvement of injured spinal cords, reduce tissue atrophy, and increase the number of functional neurons at the injury site. This preconditioning strategy may be a feasible approach for cell-based therapy following SCI.
HMGB1 preconditioning of NSCs can be further explored as a cell-based therapy to improve functional recovery in SCI patients.
Further research can focus on fully understanding the underlying mechanisms by which HMGB1 promotes NSC differentiation and neuronal survival, particularly the role of the ERK signaling pathway.
Future studies should investigate optimal administration routes, timing of transplantation, and NSC-specific markers to provide more evidence for HMGB1-facilitated NSC differentiation.