Revisiting the immune landscape post spinal cord injury: More than black and white

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to permanent neurological issues, especially in older individuals, due to the body's limited ability to repair nerve damage in the injured area. Traditionally, the immune system's role after SCI was underestimated, but recent research shows that the central nervous system (CNS) actively uses immune responses for both harm and repair. Therefore, it's crucial to deeply understand the immune environment after SCI to develop better treatments that support tissue repair and nerve recovery.

• 1
  Glial cells in the spinal cord, like astrocytes and microglia, are not just supportive cells but also key players in the immune response after SCI, influencing inflammation and tissue repair.
• 2
  Peripheral immune cells that enter the injured spinal cord after SCI can have both damaging and beneficial effects, highlighting the complex role of the immune system in recovery.
• 3
  Immune organs like the spleen and gut are significantly affected by SCI, and their dysfunction can worsen the overall immune response and hinder recovery.