Ferreira LVO, Roballo KCS, Amorim RM. Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy for peripheral nerve injuries: A promise or reality? World J Stem Cells 2025; 17(6): 107833 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i6.107833]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Prof. Dr. Walter Maurício Corrêa Street, s/n, Botucatu 18618-681, São Paulo, Brazil. lv.ferreira@unesp.br
Research Domain of This Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Article-Type of This Article
Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Jun 26, 2025; 17(6): 107833 Published online Jun 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i6.107833
Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy for peripheral nerve injuries: A promise or reality?
Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Kelly Cristine Santos Roballo, Rogério Martins Amorim
Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Rogério Martins Amorim, Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 18618-681, São Paulo, Brazil
Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Rogério Martins Amorim, Center for Translational Research in Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Biotechnology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu 18607-440, São Paulo, Brazil
Kelly Cristine Santos Roballo, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
Kelly Cristine Santos Roballo, Biomedical Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
Author contributions: Ferreira LVO, Roballo KCS, and Amorim RM made equal contributions to this study; Ferreira LVO, Roballo KCS, and Amorim RM prepared and wrote the manuscript; All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the Doctoral Scholarship granted by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), 2024/19980-0.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Lucas Vinícius de Oliveira Ferreira, Department of Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Prof. Dr. Walter Maurício Corrêa Street, s/n, Botucatu 18618-681, São Paulo, Brazil. lv.ferreira@unesp.br
Received: March 31, 2025 Revised: April 23, 2025 Accepted: June 9, 2025 Published online: June 26, 2025 Processing time: 88 Days and 15.2 Hours
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) that result in nerve gaps represent a major clinical challenge, frequently leading to long-term disability and a diminished quality of life for affected individuals. Despite advances in surgical techniques, functional recovery remains limited, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising avenue for nerve repair due to their regenerative, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties. Thus, this review explored current approaches utilizing MSCs in the treatment of PNI, emphasizing their potential to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Furthermore, tissue engineering and transdifferentiation of MSCs into Schwann-like cells offer a versatile strategy to optimize therapeutic effects, paving the way for personalized medicine. Nevertheless, challenges persist regarding the clinical application of MSCs in PNI, including transplant safety, delivery methods, optimal dosing, and ethical considerations. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying MSC action in PNI may contribute to more effective treatment protocols in the management of peripheral nerve defects.
Core Tip: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising therapeutic approach for peripheral nerve injuries involving nerve gap by promoting axonal regeneration, modulating inflammation, secreting neurotrophic factors, and exhibiting transdifferentiation capacity. These properties position MSCs as a compelling alternative to conventional treatments. However, challenges still exist for the clinical use of MSCs, requiring further research to fully unlock their therapeutic potential and translate these advancements into effective nerve regeneration strategies.
