Spinal cord injury (SCI) in mammals leads to a series of cellular and molecular changes affecting self-repair. The breakdown of the blood-spinal cord barrier allows immune cells infiltration secreting various cytokines that, together with neural cells particularly activated microglia, will spread inflammation and aggravate the neurological deficits. Infiltrated immune cells include neutrophils, monocyte-derived macrophages, and T-cells. Most of preclinical studies evaluated this response in two SCI models: contusion (CT) and transection (TS); having distinct mechanical action modes on spinal cord. Consequently, it is difficult to draw a clear-cut picture from these studies on post-lesion time window of inflammation assessment. The local inflammatory response may thus, also reflect difference in immune cells profiles and cytokine level. Accordingly, our study was undertaken to compare the immune response between CT and TS rat models applied at the spinal thoracic level. We analysed the time course of local infiltration of above cited immune cells and cytokine levels at 1-, 3-, 7-, 14- and 28-days post-SCI, using Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Our data revealed differential profiles in the level of neutrophiles, M1 and M2 macrophage markers, and T-cells between the two models. TS animals exhibit a more pronounced pro-inflammatory cell response. This is in accordance with ELISA panels showing specific differences between SCI models in the profiles of several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines at acute, subacute, or chronic stages. Correlations with structural remodeling were also noted. Our results highlight the importance of investigating the trauma-induced inflammatory state when developing and applying a therapeutic strategy.