Pathophysiology, mechanisms and applications of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a serious devastating condition associated to the high chances of morbidity and mortality. It involves a primary and a secondary injury, former cause damages to both lower and upper motor neurones and disrupts sensory, motor and autonomic functions while the latter involves various stages of molecular plus cellular incidents which elaborate the original injury. In the treatment of SCI, stem cells possess a good therapeutic potential. Bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord are the good sources for mesenchymal stem cells. This review article shows the uses of bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells in the treatment of acute and chronic case of SCI and its future scope.

Keywords: Bone marrow; Mesenchymal cell; Spinal cord injury; Stem cells; Transplantation.