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Harnessing stem cells and biomaterials to promote neural repair
Author(s) -
Bruggeman K F,
Moriarty N,
Dowd E,
Nisbet D R,
Parish C L
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.14545
Subject(s) - neurogenesis , neural stem cell , stem cell , neuroscience , progenitor cell , biology , adult stem cell , cellular differentiation , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , gene
With the limited capacity for self‐repair in the adult CNS, efforts to stimulate quiescent stem cell populations within discrete brain regions, as well as harness the potential of stem cell transplants, offer significant hope for neural repair. These new cells are capable of providing trophic cues to support residual host populations and/or replace those cells lost to the primary insult. However, issues with low‐level adult neurogenesis, cell survival, directed differentiation and inadequate reinnervation of host tissue have impeded the full potential of these therapeutic approaches and their clinical advancement. Biomaterials offer novel approaches to stimulate endogenous neurogenesis, as well as for the delivery and support of neural progenitor transplants, providing a tissue‐appropriate physical and trophic milieu for the newly integrating cells. In this review, we will discuss the various approaches by which bioengineered scaffolds may improve stem cell‐based therapies for repair of the CNS.