Combinatorial strategies for cell transplantation in traumatic spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly diminishes the quality of life for affected individuals, making the recovery of function a crucial concern for both patients and therapeutic interventions. Currently, despite the increasing number of clinical trials, there are still no effective treatments capable of improving neurological outcomes following SCI. This mini-review explores combinatorial strategies that can be used alongside NSPC transplantation to encourage spinal cord regeneration, focusing on bioengineering and neuromodulatory approaches.

• 1
  Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) can promote regeneration of the injured spinal cord by providing new neurons that can integrate into injured host neural circuitry.
• 2
  Treatment of such a complex injury cannot be addressed with a single therapeutic approach, suggesting the need for combinatorial therapies.
• 3
  The future of NSPC transplantation will likely include a multi-factorial approach, combining stem cells with biomaterials and/or neuromodulation as a promising treatment for SCI.