Research progress of Schwann cell transplantation for spinal cord injury
Author(s): QIAN Long, ZHANG Xiao-lei, HUANG Liang-jie, LIU Yan, TANG Jia-guang
Pages: 357-361
Year: 2017 Issue: 5
Journal: Chinese Journal of Bone Tumor and Bone Disease
Keyword: Schwann cells; Cell transplantation; Spinal cord injuries; Stem cells; Genetic engineering;
Abstract: The incidence of spinal cord injury is very high, which often brings disastrous consequences to the patients and their families. And there is no ideal treatment. In recent years, with the in-depth study on molecular biology and genetic engineering technology, cell transplantation as the biotherapy strategy and treatment for spinal cord injury has been developed. Schwann cells have become the focus of research because of their obvious advantages for nerve repair. Schwann cells are easy to obtain and culture, and can reduce the immune rejection after autologous transplantation, which lead to no ethical restrictions. Schwann cells transplanted into the damaged spinal cord can swallow necrotic tissues, reduce tissue defects and secrete neurotrophic factors, adhesion molecules and extracellular matrices, which can promote the growth of axons and myelins, and further improve the sensory and motor function. However, due to the bad local micro environment, the promotion of axonal growth and remyelination is limited by the transplantation of only Schwann cells into the spinal cord. Therefore, the researchers have used Schwann cells with other cells / molecules and the technological transformation of genetic engineering has been realized. And furthermore, a rapid development has been achieved in the treatment of spinal cord injury, as well as the clinical application of Schwann cells. This review made a summary on the research of Schwann cell transplantation.
Pages: 357-361
Year: 2017 Issue: 5
Journal: Chinese Journal of Bone Tumor and Bone Disease
Keyword: Schwann cells; Cell transplantation; Spinal cord injuries; Stem cells; Genetic engineering;
Abstract: The incidence of spinal cord injury is very high, which often brings disastrous consequences to the patients and their families. And there is no ideal treatment. In recent years, with the in-depth study on molecular biology and genetic engineering technology, cell transplantation as the biotherapy strategy and treatment for spinal cord injury has been developed. Schwann cells have become the focus of research because of their obvious advantages for nerve repair. Schwann cells are easy to obtain and culture, and can reduce the immune rejection after autologous transplantation, which lead to no ethical restrictions. Schwann cells transplanted into the damaged spinal cord can swallow necrotic tissues, reduce tissue defects and secrete neurotrophic factors, adhesion molecules and extracellular matrices, which can promote the growth of axons and myelins, and further improve the sensory and motor function. However, due to the bad local micro environment, the promotion of axonal growth and remyelination is limited by the transplantation of only Schwann cells into the spinal cord. Therefore, the researchers have used Schwann cells with other cells / molecules and the technological transformation of genetic engineering has been realized. And furthermore, a rapid development has been achieved in the treatment of spinal cord injury, as well as the clinical application of Schwann cells. This review made a summary on the research of Schwann cell transplantation.
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