Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation: Neuroprotection and Nerve Regeneration After Spinal Cord Injury

Si-Yu Chen,1 Rui-Lin Yang,1 Xiang-Chong Wu,2 De-Zhi Zhao,1 Sheng-Ping Fu,2 Feng-Qin Lin,1 Lin-Yan Li,1 Li-Mei Yu,1 Qian Zhang,3 Tao Zhang1,2 1Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Human Anatomy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Tao Zhang; Qian Zhang, Email oceanzt@163.com; zmczq@163.comAbstract: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), with its morbidity characteristics of high disability rate and high mortality rate, is a disease that is highly destructive to both the physiology and psychology of the patient, and for which there is still a lack of effective treatment. Following spinal cord injury, a cascade of secondary injury reactions known as ischemia, peripheral inflammatory cell infiltration, oxidative stress, etc. create a microenvironment that is unfavorable to neural recovery and ultimately results in apoptosis and necrosis of neurons and glial cells. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a more promising therapeutic options in recent years. MSC can promote spinal cord injury repair through a variety of mechanisms, including immunomodulation, neuroprotection, and nerve regeneration, giving patients with spinal cord injury hope. In this paper, it is discussed the neuroprotection and nerve regeneration components of MSCs’ therapeutic method for treating spinal cord injuries.Keywords: spinal cord injury, mesenchymal stem cell, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, nerve regeneration