Therapeutic Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103200 · Published: October 16, 2018

Simple Explanation

This editorial discusses current and emerging strategies for treating spinal cord injuries (SCI), acknowledging the historical understanding of SCI as an untreatable condition and the ongoing pursuit of effective regenerative therapies. Modern techniques, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, are employed to analyze changes after SCI, providing a comprehensive overview of differentially expressed proteins during SCI lesion development. Stem cell-based therapy alone is insufficient to bridge a spinal cord lesion; a combination of therapeutic modalities, including surgery, medications, and biocompatible scaffolds, is needed.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Combined analysis identified 40 significantly upregulated and 48 significantly downregulated molecules, revealing potential therapeutic candidates not previously considered.
2
Cervical SCI showed reduced expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins relative to thoracic SCI.
3
Repeated application of Wharton Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) in acute spinal cord balloon compression lesions resulted in increased sprouting fibers, spared gray matter, and reduced astrogliosis.

Research Summary

This editorial provides an overview of current research and potential therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury (SCI). It highlights the limitations of current treatments and the need for innovative approaches to promote nervous tissue regeneration and improve patients' quality of life. The editorial discusses various techniques, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics, to analyze changes after SCI and identify potential drug targets. It also explores the use of stem cells, stem cell secretomes, and biocompatible scaffolds in SCI treatment. The importance of combining different therapeutic modalities, such as surgery, medications, and biomaterials, is emphasized, along with the need for more clinically relevant chronic SCI models to assess therapeutic strategies for future treatments of SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Drug Target Identification

Identifies potential therapeutic targets for SCI treatment through transcriptomics and proteomics analysis.

Combination Therapies

Emphasizes the need for combining different therapeutic modalities for effective SCI treatment.

Stem Cell Therapy Enhancement

Highlights the importance of dosage and repeated application of stem cells for better outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
Current treatments are limited in their ability to regenerate nervous tissue.
2
Translation of preclinical research into clinical applications is progressing slowly.
3
The need for more clinically relevant chronic SCI models for reliable assessment of therapeutic strategies.

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