Research progress of endogenous neural stem cells in injury repair strategies after ischemic stroke

Abstract

Ischemic stroke is characterized by high incidence, high mortality, and high disability and is the primary cause of death and disability among adults in China. Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) are a group of cells that have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into functional nerve cells. Under normal circumstances, NSCs are in a quiet state. When the body is subjected to specific stimulation or injury, NSCs can be activated, proliferate, migrate to the damaged site, and differentiate into functional nerve cells to repair the injured tissue. NSCs induced by ischemic stimulation have limited regenerative capacity and cannot completely restore damaged tissues. Exogenous NSC transplantation has some effect. However, it is limited by the low survival rate of transplanted NSCs, immune rejection, ethics, and risk of tumor formation. Therefore, it is necessary to study fur- ther the strategies and mechanisms of endogenous NSC activation to promote nerve function repair after stroke. This article reviews recent advancements in drug therapy, hypoxic/ischemic conditioning, Chinese medicine, and rehabilitation strategies for NSC treatment. Furthermore, it explores new strategies and mechanisms developed recently, offering innovative plans and ideas to enhance clinical stroke treatment.

Keywords

ischemic stroke / neuroprotection / neural stem cell / neurogenesis