Schwann cells (SCs) are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, which can promote neural regeneration. Grafting of autologous SCs is one of the well-established and commonly performed procedures for peripheral nerve repair. With the aim to improve the clinical condition of patients with
spinal cord injury (SCI), a program of grafting autologous activated Schwann cells (AASCs), as well as a series of appropriate
neurorehabilitation programs, was employed to achieve the best
therapeutic effects. We selected six patients who had a history of SCI before
transplantation. At first, AASCs were obtained by prior
ligation of sural nerve and subsequently isolated, cultured, and purified in vitro. Then the patients accepted an operation of
laminectomy and
cell transplantation, and no severe adverse event was observed in any of these patients. Motor and sensitive improvements were evaluated by means of American
Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading and Functional Independence Measure (FIM); bladder and urethral function were determined by clinical and urodynamic examination; somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used to further confirm the functional recovery following
transplantation. The patients were followed up for more than 5 years. All of the patients showed some signs of improvement in autonomic, motor, and sensory function. So we concluded that AASC
transplantation might be feasible, safe, and effective to promote neurorestoration of SCI patients.