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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells to Evaluate Functional Recovery after Peripheral Nerve Injury
Published on: February 23, 2014
Multi-target approaches to CNS repair: olfactory mucosa-derived cells and heparan sulfates
Susan L Lindsay1, George A McCanney1, Alice G Willison1
1Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the biggest challenges in the development of neuroregenerative therapeutics. Cell transplantation is one of numerous experimental strategies that have been identified and tested for efficacy at both preclinical and clinical levels in recent years. In this Review, we briefly discuss the state of human olfactory cell transplantation as a therapy, considering both its current clinical status and its limitations. Furthermore, we introduce a mesenchymal stromal cell derived from human olfactory tissue, which has the potential to induce multifaceted reparative effects in the environment within and surrounding the lesion. We argue that no single therapy will be sufficient to treat SCI effectively and that a combination of cell-based, rehabilitation and pharmaceutical interventions is the most promising approach to aid repair. For this reason, we also introduce a novel pharmaceutical strategy based on modifying the activity of heparan sulfate, an important regulator of a wide range of biological cell functions. The multi-target approach that is exemplified by these types of strategies will probably be necessary to optimize SCI treatment.
Insights
Human olfactory cell transplantation shows promise for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. A combination of cell therapies, rehabilitation, and novel pharmaceutical strategies, like heparan sulfate modification, offers the most effective multi-target approach for SCI treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Therapy
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents significant challenges for neuroregenerative therapeutics.
- Cell transplantation is an experimental strategy under investigation for SCI.
- Current therapeutic approaches for SCI are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical status and limitations of human olfactory cell transplantation for SCI.
- To introduce mesenchymal stromal cells from human olfactory tissue as a potential therapy.
- To propose a multi-target approach combining cell-based, rehabilitation, and pharmaceutical interventions for SCI.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on olfactory cell transplantation for SCI.
- Introduction of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from human olfactory tissue.
- Discussion of a novel pharmaceutical strategy targeting heparan sulfate modification.
Main Results:
- Human olfactory cell transplantation has a current clinical status with identified limitations.
- Mesenchymal stromal cells from olfactory tissue show potential for multifaceted reparative effects.
- Heparan sulfate modification represents a novel pharmaceutical strategy for SCI.
Conclusions:
- No single therapy is sufficient for effective SCI treatment.
- A combination of cell-based therapies, rehabilitation, and pharmaceutical interventions is crucial.
- Multi-target strategies are necessary to optimize spinal cord injury treatment.
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