The Role of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of the Latest Experimental Data.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition with a high incidence, leading to irreversible motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunctions. Despite significant advances in understanding the pathophysiology of SCI, effective therapeutic strategies for regeneration remain elusive. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has emerged as a key player in various developmental and pathological processes, including tissue regeneration, neuroprotection, and inflammation, all of which are crucial in SCI. The aim of this paper is to review the current understanding of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of SCI and its potential as a therapeutic target for improving recovery after SCI. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has a distinctive role in SCI pathogenesis, encompassing regulation of inflammation, apoptosis, glial scar, axonal repair and regeneration, and angiogenesis. Many treatment modalities, such as pharmaceutical administration, stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, electric stimulation, and the use of biomaterials and exosomes, exert beneficial effects in SCI animal models by interacting with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of SCI and offers a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. Its effects depend on the specific Wnt ligands involved, the injury stage, and the cellular environment. Precisely modulating Wnt signaling could be a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing spinal cord repair and functional recovery after injury. Although significant progress has been made, further studies are needed to improve our understanding of its context-dependent effects and to address therapeutic challenges.