Filling the Gap: Neural Stem Cells as A Promising Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury.
Inês M PereiraAna MaroteAntónio J SalgadoNuno André SilvaPublished in: Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (2019)
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to severe motor, sensory and social impairments having a huge impact on patients' lives. The complex and time-dependent SCI pathophysiology has been hampering the development of novel and effective therapies. Current treatment options include surgical interventions, to stabilize and decompress the spinal cord, and rehabilitative care, without providing a cure for these patients. Novel therapies have been developed targeting different stages during trauma. Among them, cell-based therapies hold great potential for tissue regeneration after injury. Neural stem cells (NSCs), which are multipotent cells with inherent differentiation capabilities committed to the neuronal lineage, are especially relevant to promote and reestablish the damaged neuronal spinal tracts. Several studies demonstrate the regenerative effects of NSCs in SCI after transplantation by providing neurotrophic support and restoring synaptic connectivity. Therefore, human clinical trials have already been launched to assess safety in SCI patients. Here, we review NSC-based experimental studies in a SCI context and how are they currently being translated into human clinical trials.
Keyphrases
- spinal cord injury
- spinal cord
- clinical trial
- end stage renal disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- stem cells
- healthcare
- neural stem cells
- endothelial cells
- neuropathic pain
- randomized controlled trial
- single cell
- oxidative stress
- mental health
- white matter
- induced apoptosis
- patient reported outcomes
- drug delivery
- brain injury
- cell proliferation
- study protocol
- phase ii
- induced pluripotent stem cells
- cell fate
- affordable care act
- trauma patients