Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injuries: A review

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition that affects individuals worldwide, significantly reducing quality of life, for both patients and their families. In recent years there has been a growing interest in cell therapy potential in the context of spinal cord injuries. The present review aims to discuss and compare the restorative approaches based on the current knowledge, available spinal cord restorative cell therapies, and use of selected cell types. However, treatment options for spinal cord injury are limited, but rehabilitation and experimental technologies have been found to help maintain or improve remaining nerve function in some cases. Mesenchymal stem cells as well as olfactory ensheathing cells seem to show therapeutic impact on damaged spinal cord and might be useful in neuroregeneration. Recent research in animal models and first human trials give patients with spinal cord injuries hope for recovery.

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Estimation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Monocytes in Peripheral Blood of Acute Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injuries in Patients with Concomitant Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures: A Clinical Prospective Controlled Cohort Study

Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics ◽

10.15406/jsrt.2016.01.00043 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Fathy G Khallaf

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Femoral Fractures ◽

Traumatic Head

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Use of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow for the Treatment of Naturally Injured Spinal Cord in Dogs

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2014/437521 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Euler Moraes Penha ◽

Cássio Santana Meira ◽

Elisalva Teixeira Guimarães ◽

Marcus Vinícius Pinheiro Mendonça ◽

Faye Alice Gravely ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Autologous Bone Marrow ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Cord Injury

The use of stem cells in injury repair has been extensively investigated. Here, we examined the therapeutic effects of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplantation in four dogs with natural traumatic spinal cord injuries. MSC were culturedin vitro, and proliferation rate and cell viability were evaluated. Cell suspensions were prepared and surgically administered into the spinal cord. The animals were clinically evaluated and examined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Ten days after the surgical procedure and MSC transplantation, we observed a progressive recovery of the panniculus reflex and diminished superficial and deep pain response, although there were still low proprioceptive reflexes in addition to a hyperreflex in the ataxic hind limb movement responses. Each dog demonstrated an improvement in these gains over time. Conscious reflex recovery occurred simultaneously with moderate improvement in intestine and urinary bladder functions in two of the four dogs. By the 18th month of clinical monitoring, we observed a remarkable clinical amelioration accompanied by improved movement, in three of the four dogs. However, no clinical gain was associated with alterations in magnetic resonance imaging. Our results indicate that MSC are potential candidates for the stem cell therapy following spinal cord injury.

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HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS ARE TOLERIZED BY MICE AND IMPROVE SKIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES.

Transplantation Journal ◽

10.1097/00007890-200407271-01182 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 78 ◽

pp. 442

Author(s):

E R. Mansilla ◽

H A. Drago ◽

F M.M. Sturla ◽

M A. Gil ◽

G H. Marin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell Applications in Spine Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11177966 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (17) ◽

pp. 7966

Author(s):

Alice Baroncini ◽

Jörg Eschweiler ◽

Philipp Kobbe ◽

Valentin Quack ◽

Samir Smajic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Comprehensive Review ◽

Spine Disorders

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly being employed in a number of orthopedic settings, in particular in the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Recently, the use MSCs has been investigated for different spine settings. However, the use of these cells is not yet widespread in the clinical practice. The aim of this review was to investigate the current literature regarding the use of MSCs in different spine conditions and discuss possible future applications. In particular, degenerative disc disease is the most studied field for MSC application, and is the only one that has already reached the clinical practice, albeit not routinely. Spinal cord injuries are another extensively investigated use of MSCs: despite encouraging preliminary results, a consensus on the efficacy of stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries has not yet been reached, and their use is still only experimental.

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