TABLE 1.

Summary of stem cell types used in SCI research: properties, advantages, and limitations.

Stem cell type	Properties	Advantages	Limitations
Embryonic stem cells	Pluripotent, can differentiate into any cell type	High proliferative capacity, potential for large-scale production	Ethical concerns, risk of teratoma formation, immune rejection
Neural stem cells	Multipotent, can differentiate into neurons and glia	Intrinsic tropism for CNS, potential for endogenous repair	Limited availability, limited differentiation potential
Mesenchymal stem cells	Multipotent, can differentiate into mesodermal lineages	Immunomodulatory effects, anti-inflammatory properties, easy to obtain	Low differentiation potential, variability between donors, limited integration
Induced pluripotent stem cells	Pluripotent, can differentiate into any cell type	Personalised medicine, avoids ethical concerns	Potential for genetic abnormalities, risk of tumorigenesis, low differentiation efficiency
Olfactory ensheathing cells	Glial cells that support olfactory axons	Intrinsic tropism for CNS, promote axonal regeneration, myelination, and neuroprotection	Limited availability, low proliferation rate, variable results
Schwann cells	Glial cells that myelinate peripheral nerves	Promote axonal regeneration, myelination, and neuroprotection	Limited availability, require peripheral nerve biopsy, limited integration

CNS,Central Nervous System; SCI, spinal cord injury.