Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Treatment through Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Cell Types, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies in Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can lead to significant neurological deficits and lifelong disability, with far-reaching physical, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. Current treatments for SCIs are limited in their ability to restore function, and there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to promote the regeneration and repair of damaged neural tissue following SCIs. This review article comprehensively discusses the potential of different stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), in SCI treatment. We provide an in-depth analysis of the unique advantages and challenges associated with each stem cell type, as well as the latest advancements in the field. Furthermore, we address the critical challenges faced in stem cell therapy for SCIs, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, standardization of protocols, optimization of transplantation parameters, and the development of effective outcome measures. We also discuss the integration of novel technologies such as gene editing, biomaterials, and tissue engineering to enhance the therapeutic potential of stem cells. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the scientific community, including researchers, clinicians, bioengineers, industry partners, and patients, to overcome these challenges and realize the full potential of stem cell therapy for SCI patients. By fostering such collaborations and advancing our understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, we can pave the way for the development of groundbreaking therapies that improve the lives of those affected by SCIs.

Improved Efficacy of Delayed Treatment with Human Bone Marrow-Derived Stromal Cells Evaluated in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury

“…For the analysis of motor recovery after SCI, we selected the following four quantitative parameters. (1) Stepping frequency: Number of cycles (IC-TO-IC) of the hindlimbs.…”

“…Despite important improvements in rehabilitation, there is no curative treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) [1]. The use of bone marrow-derived stem cells is currently one of the most promising experimental treatments for SCI [2][3][4].…”

“…The use of bone marrow-derived stem cells is currently one of the most promising experimental treatments for SCI [2][3][4]. While the application of neural stem cells has the objective of replacing lost neurons and glia cells [1,[5][6][7], the rationale of using mesenchymal stem cells consists mainly in modifying the endogenous response in the tissue, primarily by reducing neuroinflammation [4,8]. Paracrine factors and extracellular vesicles that are released from mesenchymal stem cells are expected to prevent secondary degeneration, reduce scar formation, and support regenerative plasticity after SCI [9].…”

“…An accessible source of this type of cell is the bone marrow, which contains hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells. Bone marrow-derived stromal cells (bmSCs) pose no risk of tumor formation, which remains an issue with induced pluripotent stem cells [1,10]. The company Neuroplast BV developed a procedure to prepare human bmSCs by a negative selection procedure without cell expansion in culture (patent WO2015/059300A1).…”

An Insight into the Prospects and Drawbacks of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries: Ongoing Trials and Future Directions

“…However, proper guidelines focused on the correct management of SCI using stem cells, including the identification of the most suitable stem cells, delivery site, and timing of intervention, are required to be established. Effective collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and clinicians is vital for developing appropriate guidelines [17,64].…”