Neuronal regeneration after injury: a new perspective on gene therapy

Front. Neurosci., 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1181816 · Published: April 21, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of disability worldwide and regenerative medicine oﬀers hope for the development of new therapies for these injuries. SCI can result in the loss of sensory and motor function and can have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life, aﬀecting not only physical abilities but also emotional and social wellbeing. Recent studies have identiﬁed new targets and potential strategies for promoting neuronal regeneration, including the use of stem cell therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering. Gene editing is another type of gene therapy that shows promise in promoting regeneration in various neurodegenerative disease models. Techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 and iPSCs can correct genetic mutations that contribute to regeneration or reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Opinion

Key Findings

1
Gene therapy has the potential to activate the regenerative ability of endogenous glial cells, leading to regeneration and functional recovery in various conditions.
2
Comparative studies have identiﬁed signaling pathways and molecules involved in the process of regeneration and have provided insights into how these pathways can be targeted to promote regeneration in mammals.
3
Nanoparticles have multiple advantages as tissue engineering tools for various pathologies, eﬀectively enhancing regenerative medicine strategies.

Research Summary

While regenerative medicine oﬀers hope for the development of new therapies for SCI, signiﬁcant challenges still need to be overcome. Current strategies face limitations such as low cell survival rates and lack of integration into host tissue. Nonetheless, innovative approaches such as nanostructured biomaterials and in vivo gene expression reprogramming show promise in promoting neural regeneration and repair. Continuous eﬀorts are needed to develop safe and eﬀective therapies, and to better understand the mechanisms that regulate neuronal regeneration in the spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Advancements in Gene Therapy

Further research into gene therapy can lead to the development of new treatments for spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders.

Importance of Nanoparticles

The use of nanoparticles in tissue engineering can enhance regenerative medicine strategies for various pathologies.

Combination Therapies

Combining different approaches such as stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and biomaterials can maximize the regenerative potential of neuronal regenerative medicine.

Study Limitations

1
Current strategies for promoting neuronal regeneration face limitations such as low cell survival rates.
2
Clinical therapeutic approaches that promote neurological recovery for SCI are still limited.
3
The complex mechanisms and unusual diﬃculty of neural regeneration in SCI make it unlikely that a single method or strategy will achieve suﬃcient results to generate functional recovery.

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