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Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment through Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Cell Types, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies in Regenerative Medicine - PubMed

  • ️Sun Jan 01 2023

Review

Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment through Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Cell Types, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies in Regenerative Medicine

Chih-Wei Zeng. Int J Mol Sci. 2023.

Abstract

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can lead to significant neurological deficits and lifelong disability, with far-reaching physical, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. Current treatments for SCIs are limited in their ability to restore function, and there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to promote the regeneration and repair of damaged neural tissue following SCIs. This review article comprehensively discusses the potential of different stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), in SCI treatment. We provide an in-depth analysis of the unique advantages and challenges associated with each stem cell type, as well as the latest advancements in the field. Furthermore, we address the critical challenges faced in stem cell therapy for SCIs, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, standardization of protocols, optimization of transplantation parameters, and the development of effective outcome measures. We also discuss the integration of novel technologies such as gene editing, biomaterials, and tissue engineering to enhance the therapeutic potential of stem cells. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the scientific community, including researchers, clinicians, bioengineers, industry partners, and patients, to overcome these challenges and realize the full potential of stem cell therapy for SCI patients. By fostering such collaborations and advancing our understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, we can pave the way for the development of groundbreaking therapies that improve the lives of those affected by SCIs.

Keywords: embryonic stem cells; induced pluripotent stem cells; mesenchymal stem cells; neural tissue repair; regenerative medicine; spinal cord injury; stem cell therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1

Overview of various stem cell types explored for their potential in SCI treatment. This figure provides a visual summary of the four major stem cell types discussed in the review article: embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Each stem cell type is represented by a separate section in the figure, highlighting their unique advantages and potential differentiation into different types of neural cells for SCI therapy. The figure aims to facilitate understanding of the distinct characteristics and capabilities of these stem cell types, enabling researchers to optimize their use in regenerative medicine applications for SCI treatment.

Figure 2
Figure 2

Overview of challenges and potential solutions in stem cell therapy for SCIs. This infographic illustrates the main challenges and potential solutions in the development and implementation of stem cell therapies for SCI treatment. Six key challenges are represented in hexagons surrounding a central image of a spinal cord with an overlaying stem cell icon, symbolizing the application of stem cell therapy for SCI. Each hexagon contains an icon representing the challenge, along with a brief description of the corresponding solution. The challenges and solutions addressed in the figure include ensuring safety and efficacy, developing standardized protocols, optimizing transplantation parameters, enhancing survival, integration, and function of transplanted stem cells, establishing reliable outcome measures, and addressing cost and accessibility of stem cell therapies for SCI patients.

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