Bone marrow stromal cells and their application in neural injuries

Background: This article reviews experimental and clinical studies in which neural injuries repaired with bone marrow stromal cells. History: Bone marrow contains two kinds of stem cells: hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic (stromal) stem cell. In vitro studies indicate that bone marrow stromal cells have the capacity of differentiation into other cells (such as neural cell) under treatment with inducing agents. On the other hand, in vivo studies have shown that after transplantation of this cells into damaged neural tissues, engraft to host tissue, differentiat to neural cell and improves neurological and motor function. In addition to direct injection, other noninvasive methods such as intravenous, intraventricular and lumbar puncture use for bone marrow stromal cell transplantation. Conclusion: Bone marrow stromal cells are suitable source for the treatment of neural injuries because of easily available, immunological inert after transplantation, rapid expansion in culture, gene expression of neural cells and engraftment to host neural tissue.