The efficacy of Schwann cell transplantation on motor function recovery after spinal cord injuries in animal models: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This article aimed to assess the efficacy of Schwann cell transplantation on motor function recovery in animal model of spinal cord injuries via meta-analysis.



An extended search was carried out in the electronic databases of Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (via OvidSP), CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Web of Science (BIOSIS), and ProQuest. Finally, 41 eligible studies conducted on 1046 animals including 517 control animals and 529 transplanted animals were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported.



The findings showed that treatment with Schwann cells leads to a modest motor function recovery after spinal cord injury (SMD=0.85; 95% CI: 0.63-1.07; p<0.001). Transplantation of these cells in acute phase of the injury (immediately after the injury) (OR=4.30; 95% CI: 1.53-12.05; p=0.007), application of mesenchymal/skin-derived precursors (OR=2.34; 95% CI: 1.28-4.29; p=0.008), and cells with human sources are associated with an increase in efficacy of Schwann cells (OR=10.96; 95% CI: 1.49-80.77; p=0.02). Finally, it seems that the efficacy of Schwann cells in mice is significantly lower than rats (OR=0.03; 95% CI: 0.003-0.41; p=0.009).



Transplantation of Schwann cells can moderately improve motor function recovery. It seems that inter-species differences might exist regarding the efficacy of this cells. Therefore, this should be taken into account when using Schwann cells in clinical trials regarding spinal cord injuries.
Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mostafa
M
Hosseini
Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: yousefifard20@gmail.com.
Mahmoud
M
Yousefifard
Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Masoud
M
Baikpour
Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Vafa
V
Rahimi-Movaghar
Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farinaz
F
Nasirinezhad
Department of Emergency Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Somaye
S
Younesian
Department of Emergency Medicine, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Safari
Department of Intensive Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Parisa
P
Ghelichkhani
Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
Ali
A
Moghadas Jafari
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Meta-analysis; Motor function recovery; Regeneration; Schwann cells; Spinal cord injuries