Precision cell therapy: optimizing neural stem/progenitor cell regional identity for enhanced spinal cord repair and regeneration
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to severe sensorimotor and autonomic impairment, loss of independence, and increased mortality. Despite significant advances in surgical interventions, medical management, and rehabilitative approaches, there are currently no curative or regenerative therapies for SCI. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) transplantation is recognized as a promising strategy to achieve regeneration of the injured spinal cord due to their ability to replace the neuroglial populations that are lost and to restore the connectivity of neural circuits. The developmental regional identity of NSPCs has emerged as a key characteristic that influences the outcome of preclinical transplantation studies and how well the grafted cells can integrate into host circuitry. In the present review, we focus on NSPC regional identity, and how this fundamental developmental trait can impact the cells' ability to integrate into the injured spinal cord to promote functional recovery. We begin by introducing the developmental basis of spinal cord patterning, describing regional specification along the antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes. We highlight studies that reveal the importance of NSPC regional identity for spinal cord regeneration. Finally, we discuss the distinct molecular characteristics that define spinal cord NSPCs. Deciphering the molecular determinants that underlie the observed importance of regionally matched grafts requires further study. Specifying NSPC fate toward precise regions of the spinal cord will be a key next step towards precision cell therapies for SCI.
Language: English
Topic: Spinal Cord Injury Research
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,963
Funder: University of Toronto
OpenAlex ID: W7225106807