Systematic Reviews, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02390-3 · Published: November 10, 2023
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition affecting the central nervous system that can lead to disability and mortality. Current clinical treatments offer only temporary relief and do not address neural regeneration. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising method for promoting neural regeneration after SCI. However, the low survival rate of injected stem cells and the inflammation associated with biomaterial scaffold implantation have limited the application of these methods. Cell sheet technology involves culturing high-density cells, leading to enhanced extracellular matrix secretion, forming a sheet composed of cells and extracellular matrix. Cell sheets significantly elevate the local seeding rate of stem cells and provide an advantageous environment for the subsequent differentiation and growth of stem cells.
The study provides evidence supporting the potential of stem cell sheets for treating SCI in clinical settings, highlighting the need for further research before clinical application.
Findings suggest that genetic modification of stem cells, differentiation of stem cells, or the introduction of HUVECs into stem cell sheets can lead to improved outcomes, informing future strategies for stem cell-based therapies.
Future studies should consider using larger animal models and exploring different types of SCI (e.g., contusion models and cervical injuries) to provide additional support for the clinical translation of stem cell sheets.