Abstract: As the nerve regeneration has been researched more and more, nerve regeneration related signaling pathways after spinal cord injury (SCI) comes into the view. Inhibiting apoptosis signaling pathways may reduce the apoptosis, inflammation and nerve degeneration after SCI. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and there was interaction among the four subordinate pathways. Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway does not only participate in the body cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but also in the process of inflammatory and oxidative stress in the body. It has been found that blocking the Wnt signaling pathway after injury in the central nervous system would inhibit neural axon regeneration. Exogenous Wnt3a can increase the number of neurons after SCI and promote the axon conduction and nerve function. Inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway after SCI can significantly reduce neuronal loss, cell death and well promote the functional recovery. When Notch signaling pathways are activated, neural stem cells proliferate actively and differentiation are inhibited, and stem cells enter the stage of differentiation as the pathway inhibited. Activation of Ras homolog gene/Rho associated coiled coil forming protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) signaling pathways leads to the collapse of the growth cone, inhibition of axon regeneration, whereas the selective inhibition of Rho can promote axon regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI.

Key words: spinal cord injury, nerve regeneration, signaling pathways, mechanism, review