title: Creating permissive microenvironments for stem cell transplantation into the central nervous system.
abstract: Traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS) is highly debilitating, with the clinical need for regenerative therapies apparent. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) are promising because they can repopulate lost or damaged cells and tissues. However, the adult CNS does not provide an optimal milieu for exogenous NSPCs to survive, engraft, differentiate, and integrate with host tissues. This review provides an overview of tissue engineering strategies to improve stem cell therapies by providing a defined microenvironment during transplantation. The use of biomaterials for physical support, growth factor delivery, and cellular co-transplantation are discussed. Providing the proper environment for stem cell survival and host tissue integration is crucial in realizing the full potential of these cells in CNS repair strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Molly S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shoichet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins