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Updated: Aug 4, 2025
Experimental Strategies to Bridge Large Tissue Gaps in the Injured Spinal Cord after Acute and Chronic Lesion
Published on: April 5, 2016
Advances in molecular therapies for targeting pathophysiology in spinal cord injury
Ha Neui Kim1, Madeline R McCrea1, Shuxin Li1
1Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Department of Neural Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Introduction:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 25,000-50,000 people around the world each year and there is no cure for SCI patients currently. The primary injury damages spinal cord tissues and secondary injury mechanisms, including ischemia, apoptosis, inflammation, and astrogliosis, further exacerbate the lesions to the spinal cord. Recently, researchers have designed various therapeutic approaches for SCI by targeting its major cellular or molecular pathophysiology.
Areas Covered:
Some strategies have shown promise in repairing injured spinal cord for functional recoveries, such as administering neuroprotective reagents, targeting specific genes to promote robust axon regeneration of disconnected spinal fiber tracts, targeting epigenetic factors to enhance cell survival and neural repair, and facilitating neuronal relay pathways and neuroplasticity for restoration of function after SCI. This review focuses on the major advances in preclinical molecular therapies for SCI reported in recent years.
Expert Opinion:
Recent progress in developing novel and effective repairing strategies for SCI is encouraging, but many challenges remain for future design of effective treatments, including developing highly effective neuroprotectants for early interventions, stimulating robust neuronal regeneration with functional synaptic reconnections among disconnected neurons, maximizing the recovery of lost neural functions with combination strategies, and translating the most promising therapies into human use.
Insights
Spinal cord injury (SCI) research shows promising preclinical molecular therapies targeting pathophysiology. Future treatments aim for neuroprotection, axon regeneration, and functional recovery in SCI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects millions globally, with no current cure.
- Secondary injury mechanisms like inflammation and apoptosis worsen initial damage.
- Existing therapeutic strategies target SCI's cellular and molecular underpinnings.
Approach:
- Reviewing recent preclinical molecular therapies for SCI.
- Focusing on strategies for axon regeneration and neural repair.
- Examining advances in neuroprotection and neuroplasticity.
Key Points:
- Neuroprotective reagents show promise for early intervention.
- Gene and epigenetic targeting enhance cell survival and axon regeneration.
- Facilitating neuronal pathways aids functional restoration.
Conclusions:
- Preclinical advances are encouraging but significant challenges remain.
- Developing effective neuroprotectants and promoting robust regeneration are key.
- Translating therapies to human use requires combination strategies.
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