Human Schwann Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury: Prospects and Challenges in Translational Medicine

Schwann cells (SCs) are a type of cell that supports nerve regeneration and myelin formation in the peripheral nervous system. Transplanting these cells into the injured spinal cord can help to fill cystic cavities, reduce scarring, and support axon regrowth. Human Schwann cells (hSCs) are advantageous for autotransplantation because they can be isolated from a patient’s own nerve and expanded in vitro prior to implantation, alleviating the need for chronic immunosuppression. While clinical trials have established the safety of hSC transplantation for SCI, several knowledge gaps and manufacturing challenges need to be addressed to enable accessible and effective treatments for SCI patients.

• 1
  hSC transplants are relatively understudied compared to rodent SCs, possibly due to the sophisticated resources and expertise needed for hSC culture from human nerves.
• 2
  Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of hSC transplantation in SCI patients, but questions remain about their effectiveness in promoting significant functional recovery.
• 3
  The myelin-forming capability of SCs has been essential to the formulation of a therapeutic hypothesis supportive of progression to clinical trials for SCI.