TGF‐β signaling pathway in spinal cord injury: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly disabling central nervous system injury with a complex pathological process, resulting in severe sensory and motor dysfunction. The current treatment modalities only alleviate its symptoms and cannot effectively intervene or treat its pathological process. Many studies have reported that the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β signaling pathway plays an important role in neuronal differentiation, growth, survival, and axonal regeneration after central nervous system injury. Furthermore, the TGF‐β signaling pathway has a vital regulatory role in SCI pathophysiology and neural regeneration. Following SCI, regulation of the TGF‐β signaling pathway can suppress inflammation, reduce apoptosis, prevent glial scar formation, and promote neural regeneration. Due to its role in SCI, the TGF‐β signaling pathway could be a potential therapeutic target. This article reported the pathophysiology of SCI, the characteristics of the TGF‐β signaling pathway, the role of the TGF‐β signaling pathway in SCI, and the latest evidence for targeting the TGF‐β signaling pathway for treating SCI. In addition, the limitations and difficulties in TGF‐β signaling pathway research in SCI are discussed, and solutions are provided to address these potential challenges. We hope this will provide a reference for the TGF‐β signaling pathway and SCI research, offering a theoretical basis for targeted therapy of SCI.

Conditioned culture medium of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes phenotypic transformation of microglia by regulating mitochondrial autophagy

“…This indicates that after the transition of microglia from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype, they exhibit certain anti-inflammatory functions, potentially reducing the deterioration and progression of the inflammatory response. The TGF-β signaling pathway has been reported to play a crucial role in neuronal differentiation, growth, survival, and axon regeneration following central nervous system injury ( Ma et al, 2024 ). After SCI, regulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway can inhibit inflammation, reduce apoptosis, prevent glial scarring, and promote nerve regeneration.…”

Advances of the MAPK pathway in the treatment of spinal cord injury

“…Primary injury refers to the immediate tissue and cellular damage inflicted by external forces, while secondary injury encompasses a cascade of pathological changes stemming from the initial trauma, which include ionic imbalance, free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, cell death, demyelination, axonal degeneration, excitatory neurotransmitter buildup and glial scar formation. 8 Given that primary injuries are often irreversible, clinical interventions primarily aim at mitigating the pathological progression of secondary injuries, though effective treatment strategies remain limited. 9 After SCI, several signaling pathways are activated, including the transforming growth factor (TGF)β signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase /protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and MAPK pathways.…”