Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
A Neurosphere Assay to Evaluate Endogenous Neural Stem Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Minimal Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: September 13, 2018
MicroRNAs as potential therapeutics for treating spinal cord injury
Hualin Yan1, Peiwei Hong2, Mei Jiang2
1West China Developmental & Stem Cell Institute, Department of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China ; West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs are a class of recently discovered, small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to play essential roles in a vast majority of biological processes. Very little is known about the role of microRNAs during spinal cord injury. This review summarizes the changes in expression levels of microRNAs after spinal cord injury. These aberrant changes suggest that microRNAs play an important role in inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, glial scar formation and axonal regeneration. Given their small size and specificity of action, microRNAs could be potential therapeutics for treating spinal cord injury in the future. There are rapidly developing techniques for manipulating microRNA levels in animals; we review different chemical modification and delivery strategies. These may provide platforms for designing efficient microRNA delivery protocols for use in the clinic.
