Cell Sheets Formation Enhances Therapeutic Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Spinal Cord Injury

The creation of cell sheets not only significantly enhances the biological function of hUC-MSCs but also effectively retains the cells locally in spinal cord injury. Therefore, the transplantation of hUC-MSC sheets can maximize the function of hUC-MSCs, greatly reducing glial scar formation, enhancing vascular formation, and promoting the regeneration of neurons and axons. Additionally, the research findings prove that hUC-MSC sheets activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through uPAR secretion to enhance angiogenesis. The transfer of the entire extracellular matrix by hUC-MSC sheets, in the absence of the introduction of additional exogenous or synthetic biomaterials, serves to further augment their potential for clinical application.