Mild hypothermia combined with a scaffold of NgR-silenced neural stem cells/Schwann cells to treat spinal cord injury

This study explores a new approach to treating spinal cord injuries by combining mild hypothermia with a special scaffold that supports nerve cell growth. The scaffold is seeded with neural stem cells and Schwann cells, which have been modified to reduce a protein called Nogo receptor (NgR) that inhibits nerve regeneration. The idea is that by reducing NgR and providing a supportive environment with the scaffold and stem cells, the injured spinal cord can better repair itself, especially when combined with mild cooling (hypothermia) to protect the nerve cells. Researchers tested this method in rats with spinal cord injuries and found that the combination of NgR-silenced cells, the scaffold, and mild hypothermia led to improved motor function and nerve regeneration compared to other treatments.

• 1
  Mild hypothermia combined with the NgR-silenced cell scaffold significantly improved hindlimb motor function in rats after spinal cord injury, as evidenced by inclined plate tests and modified BBB scores.
• 2
  The combination therapy also improved nerve electrophysiological function, shortening the lag phase and increasing the amplitude of somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potentials.
• 3
  Pathological changes in the injured spinal cord were attenuated with the combined treatment, and a greater number of surviving cells and nerve fibers were observed.