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
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
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Heng Zhou, Shuili Jing, Wei Xiong, Yangzhi Zhu, Xingxiang Duan, Ruohan Li, Youjian Peng, Tushar Kumeria, Yan He, Qingsong Ye
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to loss of Zn2+, causing glutamate excitotoxicity and death of local and transplanted neurons. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have the ability to differentiate into neural cells and modulate the immune response, making them a promising cell source for central nerve injury repair. Zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8), a Zn2+-releasing carrier, was used to promote neural differentiation and angiogenesis of DPSCs for SCI treatment.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
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)
Article
Neurosciences
Qilong Deng, Lili Ma, Yu Yang, Ting Chen, Luding Zhan, Qiaoqiao He, Yingying Jiang, Lizhong Ma
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that EA stimulation could promote the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous NSCs, repair injuries, and promote functional recovery.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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.
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
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)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaoyun Liu, Mingming Hao, Zhongjin Chen, Ting Zhang, Jie Huang, Jianwu Dai, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: 3D bioprinting has been used to fabricate NSC-laden scaffolds for in vivo SCI repair, utilizing a novel bioink with fast gelation and high NSC viability. This method promotes axon regeneration and reduces glial scar deposition, leading to significant locomotor recovery in SCI model rats. It represents a versatile strategy for precise engineering of the central nervous system and other neural tissues for regenerative medicine applications.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tingting Xu, Xiaofei Li, Yuxi Guo, Elias Uhlin, Lena Holmberg, Sumonto Mitra, Dania Winn, Anna Falk, Erik Sundstrom
Summary: This study investigates the therapeutic effects of neuroepithelial-like stem cells (NESCs) derived from Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in a rat model of post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS). The results show that off-the-shelf NESCs transplanted 10 weeks post-injury can reduce cyst volume and stimulate tissue repair, indicating their potential as a complement to standard surgery in PTS.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tingting Li, Xiaoyang Zhao, Jing Duan, Shangbin Cui, Kai Zhu, Yong Wan, Shaoyu Liu, Zhiming Peng, Le Wang
Summary: The study demonstrated that inhibiting STAT3 can promote NSC neuronal differentiation and transplantation of NSCs with STAT3 knocked down holds promising potential for enhancing the benefit of NSC-mediated regenerative cell therapy for SCI.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Weiwei Xue, Haipeng Zhang, Yongheng Fan, Zhifeng Xiao, Yannan Zhao, Weiyuan Liu, Bai Xu, Yanyun Yin, Bing Chen, Jiayin Li, Yi Cui, Ya Shi, Jianwu Dai
Summary: The study showed that Epothilone D promoted the neuronal differentiation of NSCs and facilitated neuronal relay formation at the injury site. RNA sequencing revealed that Apol8 was upregulated during this process, indicating its role in promoting neuronal differentiation. Transplantation of Apol8-NSCs with LOCS improved motor function in mice with complete spinal cord transection, suggesting a promising therapeutic target for SCI repair.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
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)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaoyun Liu, Shaoshuai Song, Zhongjin Chen, Chen Gao, Yuxuan Li, Yu Luo, Jie Huang, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: Efficient neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is crucial for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. In this study, a bioprinted scaffold loaded with NSCs and OSMI-4 was developed to induce and guide neuronal differentiation, leading to efficient SCI repair. The scaffolds mimicked the spinal cord structure, providing a dynamic matrix and sustained release of OSMI-4 for NSCs interaction and differentiation.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Emily A. B. Gilbert, Nishanth Lakshman, Kylie S. K. Lau, Cindi M. Morshead
Summary: Spinal cord injury affects millions of people worldwide, and there is currently no cure. Utilizing endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) to replace lost cells and promote structural repair is a promising approach. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the heterogeneity of NSCs, their interaction with the environment, and factors that enhance their response.
