Stem cell and peripheral nerve injury and repair.
Peripheral motor nerve injuries are a significant source of morbidity. Neural stem cells (NSCs), a group of relatively primitive cells, possess self-renewal ability and multidifferentiation potential. NSCs may be successfully separated from the human embryo and central nervous system (CNS) and differentiated into mature neurons and gliacytes by in vitro induction or transplantation into the body and may be differentiated into Schwann-like cells under specific conditions. It has been demonstrated that the ability of peripheral nerves to regenerate is mainly attributable to Schwann cells. NSC transplantation can promote peripheral nerve regeneration and provide a new means for treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In recent years, the study of NSCs has become a focus of many laboratories, but the biological characteristics and differentiation regulation mechanisms are not fully clear. In this article, we provide a brief review of NSC characteristics, cultivation, oriented differentiation, and clinical application.
Dong
Ming-min
MM
Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. gaochunyan1954@163.com
Yi
Tian-hua
TH
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*