Regeneration of Spinal Cord Connectivity Through Stem Cell Transplantation and Biomaterial Scaffolds

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2019 · DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00248 · Published: June 6, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to disruption of nerve signals, causing paralysis. Current treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms, but a cure to restore movement is lacking. This review explores how stem cell transplants and biomaterials can help regenerate nerve connections after SCI. Stem cells can replace damaged cells and release substances that protect existing cells, reduce inflammation, and promote nerve fiber growth. Biomaterials can act as scaffolds, providing a structure for nerve fibers to grow across the injury site. Combining stem cells with biomaterials may lead to better outcomes by creating a supportive environment for nerve regeneration. Further research into how these treatments affect nerve pathways is crucial for developing effective therapies for SCI patients.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Animal models

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Stem cell transplantation can lead to remyelination of axons, secretion of regenerative neurotrophic factors, and synaptic reorganization, contributing to functional improvements after SCI.
2
Biomaterial scaffolds can create a growth-supportive environment, guide axon growth across the lesion site, and deliver drugs and biomolecules to modify the environment favorably.
3
Combinatorial therapies, such as combining stem cells and biomaterials, often demonstrate synergistic enhancements in promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery after SCI.

Research Summary

This review outlines the pathophysiology of SCI, focusing on factors that hinder regeneration, such as inflammation, scar formation, and CSPGs. It discusses strategies to reestablish connectivity within the injured spinal cord using stem cell-based therapy and biomaterial engineering. Stem cell transplantation can promote remyelination, axonal sprouting, and neural pathway plasticity. Biomaterial scaffolds can provide a supportive matrix for axonal growth and deliver therapeutic agents. Combining these approaches can lead to synergistic effects. Confirming changes in spinal cord connectivity requires techniques like neural tracing, electromyograms, and magnetic resonance imaging to visualize and assess the reorganization of neural networks after SCI, ensuring that observed histological changes translate to functional improvements.

Practical Implications

Improved Therapeutic Strategies

Combining stem cell transplantation and biomaterial scaffolds may lead to more effective treatments for SCI by creating a supportive environment for nerve regeneration and functional recovery.

Personalized Medicine

Tailoring treatments based on the specific characteristics of the injury and the individual patient may improve outcomes. This includes selecting the most appropriate stem cell type, biomaterial, and growth factors.

Enhanced Diagnostic Tools

Advances in neural tracing, electrophysiology, and imaging techniques will allow for more precise assessment of spinal cord connectivity and the effectiveness of regenerative therapies.

Study Limitations

1
The complexity of the spinal cord and the challenges of replicating its intricate neural networks.
2
The difficulty in translating promising results from animal models to human clinical trials.
3
The need for further research to understand and control the processes that govern the rewiring of neural pathways after SCI.

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