Biomaterials reinforced MSCs transplantation for spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease that leads to motor and sensory dysfunction, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic promise for SCI due to their ability to promote functional regeneration. However, MSCs often have low survival rates and diffuse randomly from the injection site. Biomaterials offer a new approach by confining MSCs to the injury site, improving their survival, and enhancing their therapeutic effects. This review explores strategies using biomaterials to reinforce MSCs transplantation for SCI treatment.

• 1
  Biomaterial scaffolds, such as those made from collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA), or gelatin, can support MSC growth, maintain cell viability, and confine their distribution within the injured spinal cord.
• 2
  Inorganic nanoparticles, like MnO2, can be incorporated into biomaterials to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the SCI microenvironment, protecting MSCs and promoting neuron regeneration.
• 3
  Multicellular co-transplantation systems, combining MSCs with Schwann cells (SCs) in a scaffold, can create a synergistic therapeutic effect, enhancing axonal regeneration and functional recovery.