Research applications of induced pluripotent stem cells for treatment and modeling of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury introduces complex pathophysiological consequences that contribute to devastating behavioral outcomes. In recent years, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based technologies have emerged as tools that can advance cell-based therapeutics and disease modeling for SCI. iPSCs can be used as the starting source for a number of potential cell therapies, including oligodendrocyte precursor cells, neural cells, Schwann cells, mesenchymal stem cells, pericytes, and inflammatory cells, all of which aim to ameliorate the injury milieu. Three-dimensional tissues and organoids can also be developed using iPSCs in an effort to promote bridge formation across the lesion. Moreover, iPSC-derived organoids introduce novel strategies for injury modeling, which can ultimately help guide research efforts. As such, iPSC-based cell therapies and disease models can help to advance SCI therapeutics.