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. 2023 Sep 20;24(18):14349. doi: 10.3390/ijms241814349

Table 3.

Stem cell types, advantages, existing challenges, and possible solutions in stem cell therapy for SCI.

Stem Cell Type Advantages Existing Challenges Possible Solutions
Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)
  • -

    Pluripotent

  • -

    Can differentiate into all adult cell types
  • -

    Ethical concerns

  • -

    Immune rejection

  • -

    Tumorigenic potential
  • -

    Utilize alternative stem cell sources

  • -

    Improve immunocompatibility

  • -

    Rigorous safety testing
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
  • -

    Pluripotent

  • -

    Ethical concerns circumvented

  • -

    Can differentiate into various cell types
  • -

    Genetic and epigenetic aberrations

  • -

    Tumorigenic potential

  • -

    Variability in differentiation capacity
  • -

    Refine reprogramming techniques

  • -

    Standardize differentiation protocols
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
  • -

    Multipotent

  • -

    Immunomodulatory properties

  • -

    Secrete growth factors

  • -

    Easy to isolate and expand

  • -

    Lower risk of immune rejection and tumor formation
  • -

    Limited ability to differentiate into specific neuronal subtypes

  • -

    Inconsistent therapeutic outcomes
  • -

    Enhance differentiation capacity

  • -

    Combine with other stem cell types

  • -

    Improve standardization and optimization
Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (NSPCs)
  • -

    Inherent ability to generate neural cells

  • -

    Promote functional recovery and reduce lesion size in preclinical studies

  • -

    Overcome ethical concerns and risks of tumor formation

  • -

    Can integrate into host tissue
  • -

    Limited availability

  • -

    Invasive extraction
  • -

    Develop strategies for expansion

  • -

    Explore alternative sources