Edited by: Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Reviewed by: Domenico Aprile, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy
*Correspondence: Sabino Luzzi,
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We are writing a commentary after reading with great interest the article entitled
The author presented a comprehensive narrative review of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury (SCI), highlighting current and future potential applications of stem cell therapies, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
This is a complex and fascinating topic and I congratulate the author for the level of precision with which he has presented all the pros, cons, limitations, and challenges associated with the implementation of mesenchymal stem cell therapies for SCI.
MSCs have some well-known advantages over other types of stem cells, such as their multipotency, immunomodulatory capabilities and ease of isolation and culture.
With the aim of stimulating discussion and enhancing the value of the study, some additional considerations regarding the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of xenogeneic ovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in SCI are reported here.
We would like to draw attention to further innovative aspects of the potential applications of MSCs. Our group investigated the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of xenogeneic sheep bone marrow MSC transplantation in a Wistar rat spinal cord transection model (
Interestingly, despite the simple model used, the lack of scaffolds and the lack of a specific injection technique, we found some evidence of engraftment of MSCs at the injury sites, confirmed by the presence of red fluorescence. The transplanted cells also showed
We believe that the cautious enthusiasm generated by the successful xenogenic use of MSCs in SCI could act as a fulcrum to pave the way for a new line of research, theoretically able to broaden the spectrum of possible grafts for neuroregeneration.
Our group has also highlighted the enormous potential applications of stem cell therapies, especially MSCs, in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, cranial and spinal bone defects and primary malignant brain tumors, with most of the completed or ongoing trials already in phase 2 (
Immunogenicity, oncogenicity and routes of administration are still concerns, but the refinement and improvement of vector design and delivery should combine to definitively lead the transition from a purely mechanical to a biological era in the treatment of SCI.
SL: Conceptualization, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. AC: Supervision, Validation, Writing – review & editing. AC: Conceptualization, Validation, Writing – original draft.
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