Neural stem cell transplantation inhibits glial cell proliferation and P2X receptor-mediated neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury rats

Spinal cord injuries often lead to neuropathic pain, a chronic condition with limited effective treatments. This study explores the potential of neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation to alleviate this pain by targeting specific receptors. The researchers transplanted NSCs into rats with spinal cord injuries and observed improvements in motor and sensory functions, along with reduced neuropathic pain. These improvements were linked to decreased expression of certain receptors (P2X4 and P2X7) involved in pain signaling. The findings suggest that NSC transplantation could be a promising therapeutic approach for managing neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury by modulating the activity of P2X receptors and reducing glial cell proliferation.

• 1
  Neural stem cell transplantation markedly increased neurofilament protein expression in the injured spinal cord segment 4 weeks post-transplantation.
• 2
  Neural stem cell transplantation decreased the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and P2X4 and P2X7 receptors 4 weeks post-transplantation.
• 3
  Motor and sensory functions of rats were obviously improved, and neuropathic pain was alleviated 4 weeks after neural stem cell transplantation.