Embryonic stem cells therapy for spinal cord injuries: a systematic review

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition which paralyzes the patient. The concept of irreparable neural injury is being reconsidered. But still there is a lack of effective treatment for SCI and researches has been shifted to cell-based therapies. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have unlimited differentiation potential and could be used to treat neurological disorders Search method: This systematic review conducted through the search in the authoritative databases (PubMed, science direct, Google Scholar, Scopus) with the keywords (Spinal cord injury, embryonic stem cell, cell therapy) from 2015 to 2019. After searching the bases, 69 articles were obtained and after reviewing the abstracts and full text 23 articles met the criteria. Results: treatment options for SCI aim toward regaining the lost functions by promoting remyelination with oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes are vulnerable to the factors existing in inflamed tissue. Cell transplantation in the injured spinal lead to a recovery by the direct differentiation to oligodendrocytes and ESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are thought to secrete trophic factors. Conclusion: ESC-derived oligodendrocyte transplantation can restore the functional outcome and it is an effective therapy.

Keywords:

Spinal cord injury , Embryonic stem cell , cell therapy