Stem Cell Transplantation: A Promising Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes irreversible functional loss of the affected population. The incidence of SCI keeps increasing, resulting in huge burden on the society. The pathogenesis of SCI involves neuron death and exotic reaction, which could impede neuron regeneration. In clinic, the limited regenerative capacity of endogenous cells after SCI is a major problem. Recent studies have demonstrated that a variety of stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) /neural stem cells (NSCs) have therapeutic potential for SCI. However, the efficacy and safety of these stem cell based therapy for SCI remain controversial. In this review, we introduce the pathogenesis of SCI, summarize current status of the application of these stem cells in SCI repair, and discuss possible mechanisms responsible for functional recovery of SCI after stem cell transplantation. Finally, we highlight several areas for further exploitation of stem cells as a promising regenerative therapy of SCI.