Current stem cell research & therapy最新文献

{"title":"Targeting Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms with Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells: Insights into Immunological Effects.","authors":"Seyed Mohammad Sajjadi, Fahimeh Lavi Arab","doi":"10.2174/011574888X477117260820074257","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X477117260820074257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious vascular disease characterized by progressive dilation of the abdominal aorta, resulting in an increased risk of rupture. AAA develops through multiple pathogenic mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, oxidative stress, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis. Surgical intervention is the primary treatment for AAA; however, no effective pharmacological therapies are currently available to halt or reverse disease progression. This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) for AAA, with particular emphasis on their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. Preclinical studies suggest that MSCs can attenuate AAA progression in animal models by modulating the inflammatory microenvironment, reducing matrix metalloproteinase activity, and promoting tissue repair. In addition, interactions between MSCs and various immune cells decrease inflammatory responses, thereby positively impacting the structure of the aortic wall. Collectively, the available evidence highlights the broad therapeutic potential of MSCs in modulating key molecular and cellular pathways involved in AAA progression. Given their ability to modulate the immune system and promote vascular regeneration, MSCs may have significant potential for developing disease-modifying therapies for AAA. By targeting key pathogenic processes involved in AAA progression, MSCs offer the potential to complement existing surgical management and address mechanisms that are not targeted by current therapies. However, additional well-designed laboratory-based and clinical studies are needed to optimize MSC-based therapeutic strategies and to establish their long-term efficacy and safety before clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148893129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Acute Lung Injury Through the NF-κB/STAT3-Ntrk2 Axis to Promote Alveolar Epithelial Regeneration.","authors":"Haihui Xu, Jiarui Zheng, Xinzhi Yang, Linlin Jin, Shuhai Lan, Liuliu Yang, Yingchi Zhang","doi":"10.2174/011574888X491069260820054606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X491069260820054606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess immunomodulatory and tissuereparative properties and have shown therapeutic potential in acute lung injury (ALI). However, the mechanisms underlying their protective effects remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of MSCs on bleomycin-induced ALI and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A bleomycin-induced ALI mouse model was established, followed by human umbilical cord-derived MSC administration. Lung injury, pulmonary edema, neutrophil infiltration, and apoptosis of alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT2) were assessed. RNA-seq and molecular validation were performed using sorted AT2 cells to investigate the underlying mechanism. In vitro assays were carried out to examine the role of Ntrk2 in MSC-mediated epithelial repair.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MSC treatment alleviated lung injury, improved alveolar structure, reduced pulmonary edema, and decreased neutrophil infiltration and AT2 cell apoptosis. RNA-seq and molecular analyses indicated that MSCs regulated Ntrk2 expression by suppressing NF-κB signaling and enhancing STAT3 signaling, thereby promoting alveolar epithelial regeneration. In vitro, inhibition of Ntrk2 impaired the promotive effects of MSCs on A549 cell migration and alveolar organoid repair.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings suggest that MSCs protect against ALI by attenuating inflammatory injury and promoting alveolar epithelial repair, with the NF-κB/STAT3-Ntrk2 axis contributing to this process.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MSC treatment ameliorated bleomycin-induced ALI and promoted alveolar epithelial regeneration, at least partly through the NF-κB/STAT3-Ntrk2 axis. These results provide further mechanistic support for MSC-based therapy in ALI.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conditioned Medium from IFNγ-Pretreated Human Gingival Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Enhances the Immunomodulatory Effects on Neutrophils.","authors":"Alexia Almaraz-Arreortua, William de Jesús Ríos-Ríos, Sorely Adelina Sosa-Luis, María de Los Ángeles Romero-Tlalolini, Sergio Roberto Aguilar-Ruiz, Honorio Torres-Aguilar","doi":"10.2174/011574888X485085260806103706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X485085260806103706","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction/ Objective: Neutrophils are crucial for an effective innate immune response. However, overactivation is associated with chronic inflammation, as in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Gingival mesenchymal stromal cells (GMSCs) are used as anti-inflammatory therapies because they possess strong immunomodulatory properties, primarily acting through paracrine mechanisms. GMSCs exhibit immunoplasticity in response to their microenvironment and adjust their secretion profile. This study aimed to investigate the effects of conditioned media derived from human gingival mesenchymal stromal cells (hGMSC-CM) or from cells pretreated with IFNγ (hGMSCγ- CM) on neutrophil antimicrobial and proinflammatory functions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>hGMSCs were isolated to meet the criteria of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT). Neutrophil intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G (CG), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzymatic activities; induction of lytic and vital neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); and bacterial uptake and engulfment were analyzed using flow cytometry, photometric methods, and fluorescence and confocal microscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both hGMSC-derived CMs significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels, reduced the enzymatic activities of MPO, CG, and NE by decreasing degranulation, and diminished NET formation (DNA, LL37, and PAD4) through both the lytic and vital pathways, including NET production observed in an inflammatory environment using plasma from SLE patients.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These inhibitory effects were more pronounced with hGMSCγ-CM. Interestingly, hGMSCγ-CM did not impair bacterial uptake, engulfment, or neutrophil microbicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, thereby maintaining the functional balance of neutrophils.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings support the use of hGMSCγ-CM as a cell-free biological product for therapies targeting inflammation driven by neutrophil overactivation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Human Hair Outer Root Sheath Cell- and Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes on Human Hair Follicle Stem Cells.","authors":"Linlin Bao","doi":"10.2174/011574888X474117260730043116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X474117260730043116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The cyclical growth of hair follicles depends on the periodic proliferation and differentiation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). Previous studies have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human hair outer root sheath cells (HHORSCs) can enhance hair follicle development, ameliorate androgenetic alopecia, and support the inductive capacity of dermal papilla cells. However, the regulatory effects of HHORSC-derived EVs (HHORSC-EVs) and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs (HBMMSCEVs) on HFSCs remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>HFSCs were treated with HHORSC-EVs or HBMMSC-EVs for 10 days. The effects of EVs on HFSC proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation were evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit8 assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EVs from both HHORSCs and HBMMSCs did not enhance hair follicle growth by improving the proliferation of HFSCs, but rather by inhibiting apoptosis. In addition, HBMMSC-EVs further promoted HFSC stemness maintenance by upregulating K15 and CD34 expression.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>HFSCs may serve as a novel target for both HHORSC-EVs and HBMMSC-EVs, highlighting their therapeutic potential for hair loss disorders.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study offers new insights into developing EV-based therapies for hair loss disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148809640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pluripotency-Preserving Culture System for Pancreatic Stellate Cells Using MSC Medium: From Quiescence Maintenance to Regenerative Potential.","authors":"ZhenSheng Cai, Chengming Ni, QianQian Wang, Xiaohang Wang, Huan Wang, Yang Chen, Yan Guo, Hao Lin, Bo Sun, Shanhu Qiu, Zilin Sun","doi":"10.2174/011574888X478099260724053746","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X478099260724053746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a central role in pancreatic physiology and disease, and the transition between their quiescent and activated states influences processes such as fibrosis and regeneration. However, the stem cell-like properties of PSCs remain unclear. This study aims to clarify the stem cell characteristics of PSCs and establish a method to maintain their quiescent state, thereby providing a new perspective on pancreatic regeneration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PSCs from Lrat-cre; Rosa26-tdTomato mice were fate-traced, and immunofluorescence was used to assess Lrat, Oct4, and Nanog co-localization. Primary PSCs from C57BL/6 mice were cultured in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or DMEM/F12 medium. Lipid droplets, morphology, activation markers (α-SMA, collagen-I, fibronectin), and stemness-associated markers were analysed via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lrat co-localized with Oct4/Nanog in mice. MSC-cultured PSCs had more lipid droplets, a quiescent morphology, and lower levels of activation markers than DMEM/F12-cultured cells. They also expressed stemness-associated markers (Pdx1, Oct4, Nkx6.1, Ngn3, Sox2, Pax6).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These results indicate that PSCs possess stemness and can be preserved under specific culture conditions. The ability of MSC medium to maintain PSCs in a quiescent and stem-like state provides a valuable model for studying their biology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PSCs exhibit stemness, and MSC medium maintains their quiescence, offering a novel experimental platform to study PSC biology and lineage plasticity.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148708941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intravenous Injection of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Alleviate Acute Lung Injury in Rats.","authors":"Jiao Zheng, Yuwei Luo, Bingjie Zeng, Yao Tong, Shengbin Tang, Mengrong Cheng, Qinglin Wang, Rushi Liu, Manke Zhang, Zhengchun Wu","doi":"10.2174/011574888X417023251216101508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X417023251216101508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of intravenous injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Wistar albino rats were used to establish an ALI animal model via intravenous oleic acid suspension injection. Rats in the low-dose and high-dose mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) groups were treated with 2.5×10^5 hUCMSCs and 5×10^5 hUCMSCs, respectively. After 24 hours of modelling, the rats were sacrificed and samples were collected. The lung coefficient was calculated, and lung tissue morphology was examined. The expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in lung tissue and serum were assessed. Additionally, the expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 in the lung was measured.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>Compared with the control group, lung volume and lung coefficient significantly increased, and lung tissue exhibited pathological changes with an increased lung injury score. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue and serum significantly increased, while IL-4 and IL10 levels significantly decreased. The proportion of neutrophils markedly increased, and the expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 in the lung significantly decreased in the model group. These results indicate that oleic acid can induce acute lung injury and activate inflammatory. Compared with the model group, both MSC-treated groups showed significant reductions in lung coefficient and lung injury score. Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lung tissue and serum significantly decreased, while IL-4 and IL-10 levels significantly increased. Furthermore, the proportion of neutrophils decreased significantly, and the expression of Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1 in the lung increased significantly in the two MSC-treated groups. The therapeutic effect can likely be ascribed to the immunomodulatory properties of hUCMSCs and capacity to mitigate barrier damage, as substantiated by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, along with the elevated expression of antiinflammatory factors and tight junction proteins in lung tissue.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The hUCMSCs can effectively ameliorate oleic acid-induced ALI in rats by exerting anti-inflammatory effects and protecting the alveolar-capillary endothelial barrier.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148708973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Bioactive Cements on the Cytotoxicity, Migration, Alkaline Phosphatase Activity, and Mineralization of SHED.","authors":"Ana Beatriz Vieira da Silveira, Bárbara Luísa Silva Oliveira, Eloá Cristina Passucci Ambrósio, Mariel Tavares de Oliveira Prado Bergamo, Adriano de Souza Pessoa, Flávia Godoy Iano, Verônica de Abreu Francisco, Rodrigo Cardoso de Oliveira, Natalino Lourenço Neto, Maria Aparecida Moreira Machado, Thais Marchini Oliveira","doi":"10.2174/011574888X473368260716202447","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X473368260716202447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction/objective: </strong>The study aimed to assess the biological effects of the capping materials Bio-C Repair, MTA HP Repair, and Biodentine on stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) in vitro. Vital pulp therapy seeks to harness the reparative capabilities of the dentin-pulp complex, maintaining primary teeth until their natural exfoliation. Various bioceramic cements formulated from calcium silicate have been developed for this purpose. An ideal material should exhibit bioactivity, bactericidal properties, promote pulp healing, and not disrupt the physiological root resorption process.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study employed tests for cytotoxicity, migration, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and mineralization nodule formation. Data analysis was conducted using a two-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc assessments with Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, and Bonferroni tests (p<0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In terms of cell viability, both Bio-C Repair and Biodentine demonstrated comparable effectiveness and outperformed MTA HP Repair. Regarding cell migration, after 72 hours, the cells exposed to MTA HP Repair exhibited a greater degree of gap closure compared to the other groups. For ALP activity, SHED cells in contact with Bio-C Repair showed increased ALP activity after 10 days. Biodentine also demonstrated a significant stimulatory effect on the formation of mineralized nodules relative to the other materials.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Bio-C Repair and Biodentine showed better cytocompatibility, while MTA HP Repair enhanced cell migration. Differences in alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization indicate distinct bioactive profiles, highlighting the influence of material composition and experimental conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>All tested cements exhibit bioactive properties suitable for vital pulp therapy in primary teeth. Bio-C Repair showed superior outcomes in both cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity compared to the other materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148611037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unlocking New Hope: Advances in the Application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Female Infertility.","authors":"Xinyue Zhou, Yuzi Li, Yixiao Tian, Yanan Guo, Haofei Shen, Tielan Feng, Liyan Wang, Xuehong Zhang","doi":"10.2174/011574888X407169251111105950","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X407169251111105950","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy represents a rapidly evolving domain within regenerative medicine research and its clinical applications. As a therapeutic approach in regenerative medicine, MSCs therapy holds a distinct position in addressing female infertility, attributed to its low immunogenicity and robust capacities for self-renewal and differentiation. Empirical studies have demonstrated that the transplantation of MSCs derived from various sources, such as menstrual fluid, endometrium, bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord, can effectively facilitate the restoration of ovarian and endometrial morphology and function. This offers promising prospects for the treatment of a range of female infertility-related conditions, including ovarian insufficiency, intrauterine adhesion, and polycystic ovary syndrome. This review article examines the underlying mechanisms and recent advancements in research on MSCs from diverse sources within the female reproductive system. Furthermore, it elucidates the application of MSCs in clinical trials targeting ovarian and endometrial pathologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148400311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ear Cartilage Reconstruction: From Regenerative Medicine to Reconstructive Surgery.","authors":"Majid Ismailzade, Asli Pinar Zorba Yildiz, Hazal Yilmaz, Mustafa Azizoglu, Burcak Yavuz, Hakan Darici","doi":"10.2174/011574888X451539260430114446","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X451539260430114446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Innovations in ear reconstruction in the developing medical field have resulted in various advantages and disadvantages. In addition to rib autologous ear cartilage reconstruction, cartilage differentiation is achieved using stem cell technologies, or cartilage is constructed using tissueengineering-based systems from various natural and artificial materials. Intercalarily, autologous rib ear cartilage reconstruction is routinely used; it is a field that is constantly being developed, from stem cells and cell culture systems to natural and artificial biomaterials and tissue engineering-based systems. It is estimated that 3D scaffold systems created using tissue engineering approaches will continue to be popular for a long time in terms of both shaping and cellularization. The differentiation potential of stem cells, the mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of scaffolds, and especially the use of exosome engineering as a biosignal molecule, which has become popular recently, bring another perspective on cartilage regeneration. The nanostructures of exosomes carry very important information between cells in terms of their anti-inflammatory activities and especially their effects on the proliferation and differentiation activities of stem cells. Especially modified or loaded exosome designs allow different approaches to be created in this field, both for therapeutics and diagnosis. This review offers a regenerative medicine perspective on ear reconstruction studies, addressing the advantages and disadvantages of experimental and clinical designs, including current innovations and artificial organ designs, such as stem cell-exosome strategies. The complexity of the production process, the characterization of biomaterials, the need for standardization of in vitro and in vivo protocols, ethical concerns, and high costs necessitate controlled and comparative analyses of these high-tech products/methods before they are transferred to clinical use.</p>","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148310713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transplanted Cerebrospinal Fluid-Contacting Neurons Alleviate Spasticity Following Spinal Cord Injury in Mice.","authors":"Wanqiang Feng, Binxing Wei, Zeyu Shangguan, Yali Feng, Shuwen Jing, Qizhe Li, Xuexing Shi, Hao Li, Chunqing Wang, Xiaowei Dou, Wei Tan, Qing Li","doi":"10.2174/011574888X453043260417064113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/011574888X453043260417064113","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Introduction/ Objective: Spasticity following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a challenging condition with limited effective treatments. Transplantation of stem cells to replace the lost GABAergic neurons represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Our previous work has confirmed that cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cNs) exhibit characteristics of neural stem cells and can differentiate into GABAergic neurons. This study aims to investigate whether transplanted CSF-cNs can differentiate into GABAergic neurons and alleviate spasticity following SCI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;CSF-cNs were isolated and purified from adult mice in vitro. Following induction culture, differentiation was characterized by immunofluorescence. One week post-SCI, the CSF-cNs were transplanted into the injured area. The survival and differentiation of transplanted cells were assessed via immunofluorescence. Early progression of spasticity was assessed using the hindlimb grasp reflex. Late-stage spasticity relief was evaluated through electrophysiological and gait footprint analysis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Transplanted CSF-cNs survived within the SCI region, with 58% of GFP⁺ cells co-expressing NeuN. These GFP⁺ cells also expressed GABA, the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65/67), and the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT). Within three weeks post-transplantation, the hindlimb grip reflex scores in the transplant group were significantly improved (P &lt; 0.05). By 6 and 12 weeks, the H-reflex rate-dependent depression (RDD) in the transplant group was significantly superior to that of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, the stride length, step width, and hindlimb coordination were markedly improved in the transplant group compared to controls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Discussion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provides the first experimental evidence that transplanted CSF-cNs survive and differentiate into GABAergic neurons within the SCI microenvironment. Simultaneously, CSFcN transplantation effectively alleviates spasticity following SCI. This outcome aligns with previous findings using stem cell-derived GABAergic progenitor cells for spasticity treatment. Therefore, we hypothesize that the alleviation of spasticity observed in this study may be associated with the differentiation of CSF-cNs into GABAergic neurons. Admittedly, this correlation requires further investigation. Additionally, although both behavioral and electrophysiological results demonstrated significant symptomatic relief, recovery remained incomplete. This indicates that even if CSF-cNs differentiate into GABAergic neurons and supplement the deficient inhibitory neurons in the damaged spinal cord circuits, this process is insufficient to completely reconstruct the complex spinal cord network. Future investigations will explore mechanisms beyond cell replacement, such as the potential role of transplanted cells in modulating synaptic efficacy (for instance, by restori","PeriodicalId":93971,"journal":{"name":"Current stem cell research & therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148310632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}