Review
Cell Biology
Camila Marques de Freria, Erna Van Niekerk, Armin Blesch, Paul Lu
Summary: Spinal cord injury leads to irreversible functional impairment due to neuronal loss and disruption of connections, but neural stem cell therapy shows promising potential in promoting axonal regeneration and forming new connections. This therapy has implications for improving motor systems, including the corticospinal tract, and restoring sensory feedback in SCI patients.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Desheng Kong, Baofeng Feng, Asiamah Ernest Amponsah, Jingjing He, Ruiyun Guo, Boxin Liu, Xiaofeng Du, Xin Liu, Shuhan Zhang, Fei Lv, Jun Ma, Huixian Cui
Summary: The study shows that using human iPSC-derived neural stem cells can promote neural functional recovery in mice with acute SCI, while also reducing fibrosis, glial scar formation, and inflammation.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Benjamin Jevans, Nicholas D. James, Emily Burnside, Conor J. McCann, Nikhil Thapar, Elizabeth J. Bradbury, Alan J. Burns
Summary: The combination treatment of enteric neural stem cells (ENSCs) with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) showed superior regenerative effects in repairing spinal cord injury, suggesting a potential new strategy for treating SCI.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wen Guo, Xindan Zhang, Jiliang Zhai, Jiajia Xue
Summary: This article introduces the potential of neural stem cells (NSCs) in repairing spinal cord injuries. NSCs, as multipotent stem cells, can differentiate into neurons and neuroglial lineages, making them an ideal choice for regenerating injured spinal cords. The article also discusses the sources and therapeutic potential of NSCs and introduces some relevant pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yifan Wang, Tengfei Zhao, Yiren Jiao, Hanxu Huang, Yongxiang Zhang, Ao Fang, Xuhua Wang, Yanling Zhou, Haochen Gu, Qionghua Wu, Jiang Chang, Fangcai Li, Kan Xu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of Laponite nanoplatelets on stem cell therapy. The results show that Laponite nanoplatelets can induce the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells within five days in vitro, and the NF-kappa B pathway is involved in this process. Moreover, Laponite nanoplatelets can increase the survival rate of transplanted neural stem cells and promote their differentiation into mature neurons. The formation of connections between transplanted cells and host cells is confirmed by axon tracing. Therefore, Laponite nanoplatelets can be considered a convenient and practical biomaterial to enhance the efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation and promote repair of the injured spinal cord.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Emily A. B. Gilbert, Jessica Livingston, Emilio Garcia-Flores, Tarlan Kehtari, Cindi M. Morshead
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has few treatment options and poor outcomes. The activation of endogenous precursor cells, including neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), shows promise for improving SCI outcomes. However, their activation alone is insufficient for functional recovery. Previous studies have shown that the drug metformin enhances NSPC activation and promotes brain repair. This study investigates whether metformin can promote functional recovery and neural repair in both male and female SCI patients, revealing that acute metformin administration improves outcomes in both sexes.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zahra Zeraatpisheh, Esmaeil Mirzaei, Mohammad Nami, Hamed Alipour, Marzieh Mahdavipour, Parisa Sarkoohi, Somayyeh Torabi, Hassan Azari, Hadi Aligholi
Summary: The study showed that local delivery of nanofingolimod combined with NS/PCs transplantation in a mouse model of acute SCI resulted in better improvement in neurological functions and reduced tissue damage. Co-administration of nanofingolimod and NS/PCs not only increased the survival of transplanted cells, but also promoted their fate towards oligodendrocytic phenotype. This approach could be promising for restoring damaged tissues and improving neurological functions in the acute phase of SCI.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Weiwei Xue, Caixia Fan, Bing Chen, Yannan Zhao, Zhifeng Xiao, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Transplantation of neural stem cells shows promise for restoring communication in spinal cord injury, but the inhibitory microenvironment often leads to glial differentiation rather than neuronal differentiation. Functional biomaterials can mitigate the adverse effects of the SCI microenvironment and promote neuronal differentiation of NSCs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chen Gao, Yuxuan Li, Xiaoyun Liu, Jie Huang, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: In this study, conductive hydrogels were developed using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): sulfonated lignin (PEDOT:LS). These hydrogels, incorporated into a biomimetic scaffold fabricated by 3D bioprinting, showed improved electrical conductivity and mechanical properties similar to native spinal cord tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the conductive biomimetic scaffold promoted neuronal differentiation, regeneration, and recovery of motor function in a rat spinal cord injury model. This study represents a promising approach for stem cell-based treatment of spinal cord injuries.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Christy Kwokdinata, Vaibavi Ramanujam, Jiahui Chen, Paula Nunes de Oliveira, Mui Hoon Nai, Wai Hon Chooi, Chwee Teck Lim, Shi Yan Ng, Laurent David, Sing Yian Chew
Summary: This study found that using injectable hyaluronan-gelatin hydrogel in transplantation therapy can promote cell survival and neural differentiation of human spinal cord progenitor cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeong-Seob Won, Je Young Yeon, Hee-Jang Pyeon, Yu-Jeong Noh, Ji-Yoon Hwang, Chung Kwon Kim, Hyun Nam, Kyung-Hoon Lee, Sun-Ho Lee, Kyeung Min Joo
Summary: Stem cell-based therapeutics, particularly adult human multipotent neural cells (ahMNCs) from patients with hemorrhagic stroke, show potential in promoting significant locomotor recovery in spinal cord injury (SCI) through modulating glial scar formation, neuroprotection, and/or angiogenesis. The optimal transplantation dose of ahMNCs identified in this study could be beneficial in determining the appropriate injection dose for SCI patients in the future.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Katarzyna Pieczonka, Hiroaki Nakashima, Narihito Nagoshi, Kazuya Yokota, James Hong, Anna Badner, Jonathon C. T. Chio, Shinsuke Shibata, Mohamad Khazaei, Michael G. Fehlings
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes the loss of neurons and glial cells. Current interventions for SCI lack regenerative solutions. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising strategy for regeneration but inconsistent differentiation hinders functional recovery. This study generated oligodendrogenically biased NPCs (oNPCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and demonstrated their effectiveness in a rodent model of cervical SCI, showing enhanced tissue preservation, remyelination, and functional recovery without adverse effects. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of oNPCs in cervical SCI and call for further investigation to optimize this approach.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Takahiro Kitagawa, Narihito Nagoshi, Hideyuki Okano, Masaya Nakamura
Summary: Transplantation of neural precursor cells has shown functional recovery in spinal cord injury, and the use of induced pluripotent stem cells for cell transplantation therapy is now in clinical trials for subacute injury. However, treating chronic spinal cord injury still requires more comprehensive strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue Chen, Xin-Yao Yin, Ya-Yu Zhao, Chen-Chun Wang, Pan Du, Yi-Chi Lu, Hong-Bo Jin, Cheng-Cheng Yang, Jia-Lu Ying
Summary: In this study, Muse cells were selected for their pluripotent characteristics and induced into Muse-NPCs in vitro, which showed potential for improving motor function when transplanted into rats with spinal cord injury. This research provides insight into the application of Muse-NPCs for the repair of SCI in the future.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Michal Szymoniuk, Jakub Litak, Leon Sakwa, Aleksandra Dryla, Wojciech Zezulinski, Wojciech Czyzewski, Piotr Kamieniak, Tomasz Blicharski
Summary: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a common neurological disorder that causes permanent disability in most patients. Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) shows promise in regenerating the injured spinal cord through the use of various types of stem cells. Understanding the pathogenesis of SCI and the molecular mechanisms of stem cell action can improve the efficacy of SCT and lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Fang, Ren-shi Xu
JOURNAL OF HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2015)
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Zhang, Xin Fang, Yiyi Zhou, Xia Deng, Yi Lu, Jiao Li, Shujuan Li, Bo Wang, Renshi Xu
JOURNAL OF STROKE & CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2015)
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Zhang, Hanyi Zeng, Lei Zhu, Libing Deng, Xin Fang, Xia Deng, Huiting Liang, Chunyan Tang, Xuebing Cao, Yi Lu, Jiao Li, Xiao Ren, Wenjie Zuo, Xiong Zhang, Renshi Xu
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Neurosciences
Yakun Hu, Libing Deng, Jie Zhang, Xin Fang, Puming Mei, Xuebing Cao, Jiari Lin, Yi Wei, Xiong Zhang, Renshi Xu
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2016)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yiyi Zhou, Yi Lu, Xin Fang, Jie Zhang, Jiao Li, Shujuan Li, Xia Deng, Yaqing Yu, Renshi Xu
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
(2015)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunyan Tang, Lei Zhu, Weiming Gan, Huiting Liang, Jiao Li, Jie Zhang, Xiong Zhang, Yi Lu, Renshi Xu
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiao Li, Yi Lu, Huiting Liang, Chunyan Tang, Lei Zhu, Jie Zhang, Renshi Xu
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi Lu, Chunyan Tang, Lei Zhu, Jiao Li, Huiting Liang, Jie Zhang, Renshi Xu
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2016)
Correction
Neurosciences
Libin Deng, Liwei Huo, Jie Zhang, Xiaoli Tang, Zhujun Cheng, Gang Li, Xin Fang, Jinsong Xu, Xiong Zhang, Renshi Xu
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Libin Deng, Liwei Hou, Jie Zhang, Xiaoli Tang, Zhujun Cheng, Gang Li, Xin Fang, Jinsong Xu, Xiong Zhang, Renshi Xu
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Xia Deng, Fang-Jun Li, Chun-Yan Tang, Jie Zhang, Lei Zhu, Mei-Hong Zhou, Xiong Zhang, Hong-Han Gong, Xiang-Zuo Xiao, Ren-Shi Xu
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2016)
Article
Neurosciences
Xia Deng, Chun-Yan Tang, Jie Zhang, Lei Zhu, Zun-Chun Xie, Hong-Han Gong, Xiang-Zuo Xiao, Ren-Shi Xu
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2016)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xia Deng, Meihong Zhou, Chunyan Tang, Jie Zhang, Lei Zhu, Zunchun Xie, Honghan Gong, Xiangzuo Xiao, Renshi Xu
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huiting Liang, Chengsi Wu, Youqing Deng, Lei Zhu, Jie Zhang, Weiming Gan, Chunyan Tang, Renshi Xu
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Zhang, Huiting Liang, Lei Zhu, Weiming Gan, Chunyan Tang, Jiao Li, Renshi Xu
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2018)