Modulating neuroinflammation through molecular, cellular and biomaterial-based approaches to treat spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to neuroinflammation, which contributes to both tissue damage and repair processes. The immune cells and their factors become imbalanced in the spinal cord microenvironment. To heal and repair, immunological pathways during neuroinflammation must be manipulated. Recent advancements in molecular, cellular, and biomaterial-based therapies to modulate inflammation and promote tissue regeneration and functional recovery are discussed. Neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response in the brain or spinal cord, is a key component after SCI. It persists from the primary phase to the secondary phase of injury.

• 1
  Neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury involves a complex interplay of immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and neurotrophic factors, leading to both tissue damage and repair.
• 2
  Molecular- and cell-based therapies, including depletion of immune cells and mediators, and transplantation of reparative cells, can improve SCI recovery by modulating neuroinflammation.
• 3
  Biomaterial-based therapies, such as localized drug delivery and tissue engineering scaffolds, offer promising approaches to modulate neuroinflammation and promote tissue regeneration after SCI.