Figure 9. ADSCs promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury by activating the TGF-β1/Smad3/PLOD2 signaling pathway. The TGF-β1 complex phosphorylates Smad2/3, which bind to Smad4 and translocate to the nucleus to promote the expression of PLOD2. PLOD2 upregulation creates a favorable environment for neuronal survival and axonal regeneration, limiting also glial scar formation.