Direct neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells for spinal cord injury repair

Diagram showing the directional neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). A, Spinal cord injury (SCI) microenvironment is unfavorable for the neuronal differentiation of NSCs. B, The application of functional biomaterials, myelin ‐associated inhibitor antagonists, small molecules, regenerative factors, and seed cells was used to reconstruct the SCI microenvironment and facilitate the neuronal differentiation of NSCs. C, The intrinsic neuronal differentiation abilities of NSCs were enhanced to promote neurogenesis after SCI . AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) typically results in long ‐lasting functional deficits, largely due to primary and secondary white matter damage at the site of injury. The transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has shown promise for re‐establishing communications between separated regions of the spinal cord through the insertion of new neurons bet ween the injured axons and target neurons. However, the inhibitory microenvironment that develops after SCI often causes endogenous and transplanted NSCs to differentiate into glial cells rather than neurons. Functional biomaterials have been shown to mitigate the effects of the adverse SCI microenv ironment and promote the neuronal differentiation of NSCs. A clear understanding of the mechanisms of neuronal differentiation within the injury‐induced microenvironment would likely allow for the development of treatment strategies designed to promote the innate ability of NSCs to different...
Source: Stem Cells - Category: Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Tissue ‐Specific Stem Cells Source Type: research