Neuroregeneration and functional recovery after stroke: advancing neural stem cell therapy toward clinical application

• Published in: Neural regeneration research Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 80 - 92
• Main Authors: Jiao, Yang, Liu, Yu-Wan, Chen, Wei-Gong, Liu, Jing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.01.2021; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Stem Cell Clinical Research Center,National Joint Engineering Laboratory,Regenerative Medicine Center,The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University,Dalian,Liaoning Province,China; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine,Dalian,Liaoning Province,China%Stem Cell Clinical Research Center,National Joint Engineering Laboratory,Regenerative Medicine Center,The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University,Dalian,Liaoning Province,China; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Brain research; brain; central nervous system; cognitive impairment; neurological function; plasticity; recovery; regeneration; stem cells; stroke; Care and treatment; Nervous system; Neurological research; Patient outcomes; Regeneration; Review; Stem cells; Stroke; Stroke (Disease); Transplantation; China; stem cells; neurological function; regeneration; plasticity; cognitive impairment; recovery; brain; stroke; central nervous system
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958
• DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.286955

Stroke is a main cause of death and disability worldwide. The ability of the brain to self-repair in the acute and chronic phases after stroke is minimal; however, promising stem cell-based interventions are emerging that may give substantial and possibly complete recovery of brain function after stroke. Many animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system can orchestrate neurological repair through nerve regeneration, neuron polarization, axon pruning, neurite outgrowth, repair of myelin, and remodeling of the microenvironment and brain networks. Compared with other types of stem cells, NSCs have unique advantages in cell replacement, paracrine action, inflammatory regulation and neuroprotection. Our review summarizes NSC origins, characteristics, therapeutic mechanisms and repair processes, then highlights current research findings and clinical evidence for NSC therapy. These results may be helpful to inform the direction of future stroke research and to guide clinical decision-making.