The pathology of human spinal cord injury: defining the problems.
This article reviews the pathology of human spinal cord injury (SCI), focusing on potential differences between humans and experimental animals, as well as on aspects that may have mechanistic or therapeutic relevance. Importance is placed on astrocyte and microglial reactions. These cells carry out a myriad of functions and we review the evidence that supports their beneficial or detrimental effects. Likewise, vascular responses and the role of inflammation and demyelination in the mechanism of SCI are reviewed. Lastly, schwannosis is discussed, highlighting its high frequency and potential role when designing therapeutic interventions. We anticipate that a better understanding of the pathological responses in the human will be useful to investigators in their studies on the pathogenesis and therapy of SCI.
Norenberg
Michael D
MD
Department of Pathology, University of Miami School of Medicine, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center Miami, Florida 33101, USA. mnrenbe@med.miami.edu
Smith
Jon
J
Marcillo
Alex
A
D000818:Animals; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005911:Gliosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009187:Myelitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology