Objective: To review the advances in repair of spinal cord injury by transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Methods: The related articles in recent years were extensively reviewed, the biological characteristic of MSCs,the experimental and clinical studies on repair of spinal cord injury by transplantation of MSCs, the machanisms of immigration and therapy and the problems were discussed and analysed.
Results: The experimental and clinical studies demonstrated that the great advances was made in repair of spinal cord injury by transplantation of MSCs. After transplantation, MSCs could immigrate to the position of spinal cord injury, and differentiate into nerve-like cells and secrete neurotrophic factors. So it could promote repair of injuryed spinal cord and recovery of neurological function.
Conclusion: Transplantation of MSCs was one of effective ways in repair of spinal cord injury, but many problems remain to be resolved.