Background:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological condition that predominantly affects young individuals, leading to high morbidity and disability rates. Despite its severity, there are limited effective treatments available for SCI. Over recent years, stem cell therapy for SCI has emerged as a promising research area.Methods:
The report reviews existing literature to summarize the effects, strategies, mechanisms, safety concerns, and clinical applications of various stem cell types. It also looks at new methods that combine different approaches with stem cell therapy for SCI treatment.Results:
- Types of Stem Cells: The study identifies several stem cell types used for SCI treatment, including:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)
- Neural stem cells (NSCs)
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
- Modes of Treatment: Stem cells can be induced both in vivo and in vitro.
- Transplantation Methods: Various transplantation pathways have been explored, such as intravenous, transarterial, nasal, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, and intramedullary injections.
- Cell Count: Most stem cell treatments for SCI use a cell count ranging from tens of thousands to millions.
- Mechanisms: The potential mechanisms through which stem cell therapy aids SCI recovery include:
- Tissue repair and replacement
- Neurotrophy
- Regeneration
- Promotion of angiogenesis
- Anti-apoptosis
- Anti-inflammatory actions
- Safety Concerns: Some of the common safety issues associated with stem cell therapy include thrombosis and embolism, tumorigenicity, instability, infections, high fever, and in some cases, death.
- New Approaches: Recent advancements in the field have introduced methods like the pharmacological activation of endogenous stem cells, the use of biomaterials, 3D printing, and optogenetics. These have significantly enhanced the potential of stem cell therapy for SCI.