Spinal Cord Injury Remyelination: Pathways to Therapies
Julia K. Kaniuk, Divy Kumar, Joshua M. Tennyson, Kaitlyn Hurka, Alexander Margolis, Andrei Bucaloiu, Ashley N. Selner, Christopher S. Ahuja
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results from a culmination of acute and chronic damage to neural tissue, specifically the myelin sheath, thus impacting neurons' abilities to synergistically perform their physiological roles. This review explores the molecular underpinnings of myelination, demyelination, and remyelination, emphasizing the role of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), astrocytes, and microglia in physiological, and pathophysiological, healing. Furthermore, we link these processes with emerging therapeutic strategies currently under investigation in animal and human models, underscoring areas of translational medicine that remain underutilized. The goal of this review is to provide a framework for developing more advanced interventions to restore function and improve outcomes for individuals with SCI.