Stepwise combined cell transplantation using mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neuron progenitor cells in spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries often lead to permanent loss of function due to nerve damage. Stem cell therapy offers a promising neuroregeneration strategy. This study investigates the effectiveness of combined human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neuron progenitor cells (iMNP) in rats with spinal cord injury. The researchers induced neurite outgrowth by co-culturing hMSC and iPSC-derived motor neurons (iMN) in both 2D and 3D platforms. They found that combined cell therapy improved behavioral recovery and was more effective than using single cell therapy alone. In vitro results showed that hMSC and iMN worked together synergistically to promote neurite outgrowth during iMN differentiation. The study demonstrates that stepwise combined cell therapy can alter the microenvironment to facilitate effective cell therapy for spinal cord injuries. The in vitro results further support the idea that co-culturing hMSC and iMN can synergistically promote motor neuron neurite outgrowth induction.

• 1
  Stepwise combined cell therapy can induce alterations in the microenvironment for effective cell therapy in SCI.
• 2
  Stepwise combined cell therapy promoted mature motor neuron differentiation and axonal regeneration at the lesional site.
• 3
  Stepwise combined cell therapy significantly improved behavioral recovery in rat models of SCI compared to single-cell therapy.