Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Clinical Use after Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Since multipotential and immunoregulatory properties were identified in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the twentieth century, they have been proposed as an effective therapy for many degenerative and traumatic diseases such as spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is a devastating event with a high mortality rate that evokes the loss of motor and sensory functions due to neurochemical imbalance and an exacerbated immune response as a consequence of the initial mechanical damage, which in conjunction creates a hostile microenvironment that inhibits neuronal circuitry restoration. This chapter pretends to lead the reader towards the immunomodulatory, differentiation, and tissue repairing capacities of MSCs that allow them to be a valuable candidate for clinical trials. In the first section, the physiopathology of SCI will be addressed; after that, the chapter will review the general aspects of MSCs such as origin, molecular markers, and the different mechanisms by which MSCs can heal the target tissues. Finally, we will discuss clinical trials involving autologous MSC transplantation and their limitations.

Schwann Cell-Like Cells: Origin and Usability for Repair and Regeneration of the Peripheral and Central Nervous System

“…A wide range of MSCs is currently under clinical trials with a major focus on implantation techniques, safety, and efficacy. Even though preclinical studies encourage the use of MSCs for treating human SCI, the outcome of clinical trials remain controversial, as described by Soria-Zavala et al in 2020 [ 85 ].…”

Biomaterials reinforced MSCs transplantation for spinal cord injury repair

“…Although there is certain evidence from various SCI animal models in which testified improvement following MSCs transplantation [7 , 14 , 54 , 79 , 80] , a small part of projects can enter upon clinical trials [81] , [82] , [83] . The reasons for this status quo can be divided into two aspects.…”