Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Macrophage Choreography Supporting Spinal Cord Repair

Inés Maldonado-Lasunción*, Joost Verhaagen, Martin Oudega

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Spinal cord injury results in destructive events that lead to tissue loss and functional impairments. A hallmark of spinal cord injury is the robust and persistent presence of inflammatory macrophages. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to benefit repair of the damaged spinal cord often associated with improved functional recovery. Transplanted MSCs immediately encounter the abundance of inflammatory macrophages in the injury site. It is known that MSCs interact closely and reciprocally with macrophages during tissue healing. Here, we will review the roles of (transplanted) MSCs and macrophages in spinal cord injury and repair. Molecular interactions between MSCs and macrophages and the deficiencies in our knowledge about the underlying mechanisms will be reviewed. We will discuss possible ways to benefit from the MSC-macrophage choreography for developing repair strategies for the spinal cord.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)578-587
Number of pages10
JournalNeurotherapeutics
Volume15
Issue number3
Early online date4 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2018

Funding

Funding Information This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NS101298), Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (460461), and The Department of Veterans Affairs (I01RX001807).

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeR21NS101298
U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsI01RX001807
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation460461

    Keywords

    • Bone Marrow
    • Healing
    • Immune Cells
    • Paralysis
    • Recovery
    • SCI
    • Stem Cells

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