Application of Various Stem Cells for Nerve Tissue Engineering

Peripheral nerve injury has remained a clinical hurdle despite its frequency and advances in treatment. Cell‑based therapy in peripheral nerve injuries has been interested by researchers in the field of nerve regenerative medicine. Cell transplantation by nerve conduits can be used effectively to promote axonal regeneration. Some factors in determining successful outcomes of cell therapy on nerve regeneration are production of ECM proteins and trophic factors creating a favorable environment for axonal outgrowth, stimulation of angiogenesis, differentiation into Schwann cell (SC) lineage, facilitation of myelination of regenerating axons, immunosupression in the damaged nerve, and stimulation of differentiation and proliferation of endogenous cells. Numerous cells have been applied inside nerve conduits such as SCs and different types of stem cells. In peripheral nerve regeneration, the most extensively applied stem cells are embryonic stem cells, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), adipose stem cells, bone marrow MSCs (BMMSCs), neural crest stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The purpose of this review is current points of view on the application of stem cell based strategy for peripheral nerve regeneration.