Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Regeneration

Date

2007-10-05

Authors

Willerth, Stephanie
Sakiyama-Elbert, Shelly E

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

This review presents a summary of the various types of cellular therapy used to treat spinal cord injury. The inhibitory environment and loss of axonal connections after spinal cord injury pose many obstacles to regenerating the lost tissue. Cellular therapy provides a means of restoring the cells lost to the injury and could potentially promote functional recovery after such injuries. A wide range of cell types have been investigated for such uses and the advantages and disadvantages of each cell type are discussed along with the research studying each cell type. Additionally, methods of delivering cells to the injury site are evaluated. Based on the current research, suggestions are given for future investigation of cellular therapies for spinal cord regeneration.

Description

Post peer review (post print)

Keywords

embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, spinal cord injury, regenerative medicine, bone marrow stromal cells, biomaterials

Citation

Willerth, S.M. and S.E. Sakiyama-Elbert (2008) Cell therapy for spinal cord regeneration. Adv Drug Deliv Rev .60(2): 263–276