Recent advances in endogenous neural stem/progenitor cell manipulation for spinal cord injury repair

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe neurological impairments. Clinically available treatments are quite limited, with unsatisfactory remediation effects. Residing endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (eNSPCs) tend to differentiate towards astrocytes, leaving only a small fraction towards oligodendrocytes and even fewer towards neurons; this has been suggested as one of the reasons for the failure of autonomous neuronal regeneration. Thus, finding ways to recruit and facilitate the differentiation of eNSPCs towards neurons has been considered a promising strategy for the noninvasive and immune-compatible treatment of SCI. The present manuscript first introduces the responses of eNSPCs after exogenous interventions to boost endogenous neurogenesis in various SCI models. Then, we focus on state-of-art manipulation approaches that enhance the intrinsic neurogenesis capacity and reconstruct the hostile microenvironment, mainly consisting of pharmacological treatments, regulation, and inhibitory element delineation. Facing the extremely complex situation of SCI, combined treatments are also highlighted to provide more clues for future relevant investigations.

Automated summary

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe neurological impairments. Current clinical treatments are limited, with unsatisfactory effects. Finding ways to recruit and facilitate the differentiation of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (eNSPCs) towards neurons is considered a promising strategy for the noninvasive and immune-compatible treatment of SCI. This manuscript discusses the responses of eNSPCs to exogenous interventions and various manipulation approaches to enhance neurogenesis and reconstruct the hostile microenvironment, including pharmacological treatments and regulation. Combined treatments are also highlighted for future investigations.