Intrinsic and extrinsic actions of human neural progenitors with SUFU inhibition promote tissue repair and functional recovery from severe spinal cord injury

This study explores a novel approach to treating spinal cord injury (SCI) using human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) modified to enhance their therapeutic potential. The researchers focused on inhibiting a protein called SUFU within these cells, which in turn boosts the activity of a crucial developmental signaling pathway known as Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). The results showed that these modified hNPCs not only survived better and differentiated into useful nerve cells, but also improved the environment around the injury site, leading to better recovery in a rat model of SCI.

• 1
  SUFU inhibition in hNPCs enhances cell survival and promotes robust neuronal differentiation with extensive axonal outgrowth, counteracting the harmful effects of the injured niche.
• 2
  SUFU inhibition in NPCs exerts non-cell autonomous effects on promoting survival and neurogenesis of endogenous cells and modulating the microenvironment by reducing suppressive barriers around lesion sites.
• 3
  SUFU KD grafts promote robust neurogenesis intrinsically and extrinsically in the injured spinal cord.