Dual Differentiation-Exogenous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Repair in a Murine Hemisection Model

Stem Cells International, 2013 · DOI: 10.1155/2013/928982 · Published: July 24, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation shows promise for repairing musculoskeletal, vascular, and central nervous system tissues. Recent research focuses on traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), where MSC migration to the injury site promotes anti-inflammatory and morphogenic effects. The review also describes a novel murine model for TSCI research, encouraging collaboration between musculoskeletal and neuroscience researchers to establish effective MSC therapy.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Murine model

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
MSCs have the potential to enhance osteogenesis and chondrogenesis for spinal fusion repair, differentiating into osteoblasts with specific bioactive factors.
2
Controversy remains regarding the extent of exogenous MSC contribution to neuronal regeneration, despite evidence suggesting potential neuronal differentiation.
3
MSCs have dual differentiation capability and can differentiate into multiple lineages including osteoblasts, chondrocytes and myoblasts, fibroblasts, adipocytes, and oligodendrocytes.

Research Summary

This review discusses recent advances in exogenous MSC therapy for TSCI and vertebral fracture repair, highlighting existing challenges in translational applications. The paper introduces a novel murine model designed for multidisciplinary collaboration between musculoskeletal and neuroscience researchers to establish efficacious MSC therapy for TSCI. The review covers different TSCI murine models like hemisection, modified aneurysm clip crash, weight-drop contusion, and epidural balloon compression, focusing on their advantages and limitations.

Practical Implications

Pre-clinical Model Development

The murine hemisection model can be used to test MSCs for angiogenesis, osteogenesis, neuronal survival, axonal growth, and remyelination following TSCI.

Dual Differentiation Potential

MSCs ability to differentiate into both bone and neural cells allows for combined therapies targeting both fracture repair and nerve regeneration.

Clinical Translation

Murine model experiments may help answer the important question about MSC-mediated neuronal recovery by functional assessments and histological confirmation.

Study Limitations

1
The hemisection model, while reproducible, is not clinically relevant.
2
Modified aneurysm clip model suffers from mortality rate.
3
Experimental evidence formally demonstrating MSC neuronal differentiation remains controversial.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury