Challenges of stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: human embryonic stem cells, endogenous neural stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes myelopathy, damage to white matter, and myelinated fiber tracts that carry sensation and motor signals to and from the brain. The gray matter damage causes segmental losses of interneurons and motoneurons and restricts therapeutic options. Recent advances in stem cell biology, neural injury, and repair, and the progress toward development of neuroprotective and regenerative interventions are the basis for increased optimism. This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms following SCI and compares human embryonic, adult neural, and the induced pluripotent stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for SCI.
Ronaghi
Mohammad
M
Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.
Erceg
Slaven
S
Moreno-Manzano
Victoria
V
Stojkovic
Miodrag
M
D000328:Adult; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome