Induced Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury: Present Status and Next Steps

Spinal cord injury (SCI) lacks a fully effective treatment despite various therapeutic approaches. Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) show promise for SCI treatment due to their potential for neural regeneration and integration with host tissue. INSCs can differentiate into neurons and astrocytes, integrate with host neural networks, and promote axonal growth, facilitating the reconstruction of neural circuits. Combining iNSC transplantation with rehabilitative training and biomaterials may enhance therapeutic efficacy, but larger, controlled trials are needed to validate their safety and effectiveness.

• 1
  iNSCs demonstrate potential for direct neural regeneration and integration with host spinal cord tissue, offering advantages over other cellular therapies.
• 2
  Transplanted iNSCs can modulate glial scar formation, regulate inflammatory responses, and reconstruct neural circuits within the damaged spinal cord.
• 3
  The subacute phase (3–14 days post-injury) is considered the optimal window for iNSC transplantation in animal models, with higher doses yielding superior results.