Advances in mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration

Peripheral nerve injury constitutes a complex neurotraumatic pathology characterized by mechanical disruption of neural integrity, manifesting as multimodal sensorimotor deficits and impaired neuromuscular coordination. The primary clinical interventions include surgical tension-free suturing of the severed nerve ends and autologous nerve transplantation. Despite these interventions, patients often experience complications, and the outcomes are not entirely satisfactory for either patients or clinicians. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gradually become a novel therapeutic option, with burgeoning preclinical evidence elucidating their multimodal therapeutic potential in peripheral nerve reconstruction. This research has produced promising outcomes, contributing to both fundamental research and translational medicine. However, a comprehensive synthesis of the roles of MSCs and their derivatives in nerve regeneration is still lacking. This article presents a review of the current research advancements in this area, aiming to encourage further investigations and therapeutic applications of MSCs and their derivatives in peripheral nerve injury and regenerative medicine.