Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that olfactory ensheathing cells can play its role as target cells to carry target genes; however, this therapy still meets many problems.
OBJECTIVE: To review the functions of genetic modified olfactory ensheathing cells, and the problems existing between gene modification and cell expression. 
METHODS: Databases of CNKI and PubMed were retrieved using key words of “olfactory ensheathing cells and spinal cord injury” both in Chinese and English. Basic research related treating spinal cord injury using genetic modified olfactory ensheathing cells were included. Repetitive study or unrelated papers were excluded. Totally 29 documents were collected for further study.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Olfactory ensheathing cells can secrete a variety of cytokines after spinal cord injury, and form accurately target-specific axonal connections to promote functional recovery. After genetic modification, the olfactory ensheathing cells can express genes efficiently, produce a large number of gene products, affect reconstruction of the microenvironment and growth of neurons at the spinal cord injured region and recover nervous function. These cytokines can antagonize inhibitive factor, protect neuron and accelerate neuronal development, thus, promoting neural regeneration and functional recovery. This article reviews function of different genetical modified olfactory ensheathing cells and existed problems of genetic modification and cell expression.