The activation of dormant ependymal cells following spinal cord injury

Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03395-4 · Published: June 2, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Ependymal cells, a dormant population of ciliated progenitors found within the central canal of the spinal cord, undergo significant alterations after spinal cord injury (SCI). Understanding the molecular events that induce ependymal cell activation after SCI represents the first step toward controlling the response of the endogenous regenerative machinery in damaged tissues. A more complete understanding of the role and function of individual signaling pathways in endogenous spinal cord progenitors may foster the development of novel targeted therapies to induce the regeneration of the injured spinal cord.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
SCI induces the re-localization of E-cadherin to the cytosol and circumferential membrane.
2
β1-integrin also becomes robustly upregulated in ependymal cells following SCI, probably to induce ependymal cell migration to the injury site.
3
Activation of ependymal cells by SCI downregulates the expression of the P2Y1 receptor and upregulates the expression of the P2Y4 receptor.

Research Summary

An orchestrated modulation of gene expression profiles (affecting transcription factors, cell adhesion molecules, receptors, and ion channels) occurs during the transition of ependymal cells from uninjured animals into activated ependymal cells after SCI. Many studies in animal models have shown that injury-activated ependymal cells could contribute to the regenerative process [2]; however, the view of the spinal cord ependymal region as a neurogenic niche in adult humans remains under doubt due to the results from studies suggesting the lack of involvement of these cells in cell replacement processes after injury [11, 27, 103]. This review summarized the main factors involved, including transcription factors and receptors, whose expression becomes significantly modulated in ependymal cells after SCI.

Practical Implications

Targeted Therapies

Understanding signaling pathways in spinal cord progenitors may foster development of novel targeted therapies.

Enhanced Regeneration

Enhancing the neurogenic potential of ependymal cells or modifying the microenvironment represents an attractive strategy in SCI-focused regenerative medicine.

Pharmacological Intervention

Pharmacological intervention to control the activation of the resident stem cells in the spinal cord represents a significant challenge to developing safe and efficient SCI repair/regeneration strategies.

Study Limitations

1
Translating therapeutic strategies for SCI repair using ependymal cells from animal models to clinical studies should be approached cautiously.
2
The stem cell potential of ependymal cells in the adult spinal cord remains controversial.
3
The view of the spinal cord ependymal region as a neurogenic niche in adult humans remains under doubt.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury