Fibroblast growth factors in the management of spinal cord injury

Signatures of altered long noncoding RNAs and messenger RNAs expression in the early acute phase of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly severe disease and it can lead to the destruction of the motor and sensory function resulting in temporary or permanent disability. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts longer than 200 nt that play a critical role in central nervous system (CNS) injury. However, the exact roles of lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the early acute phase of SCI remain to be elucidated. We examined the expression of mRNAs and lncRNAs in a rat model at 2 days after SCI and identified the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DE mRNAs) using microarray analysis. Subsequently, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was also performed to clarify the interaction between DE mRNAs. A total of 3,193 DE lncRNAs and 4,308 DE mRNAs were identified between the injured group and control group. Classification, length distribution, and chromosomal distribution of the dysregulated lncRNAs were also performed. The gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed to identify the critical biological processes and pathways. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network indicated that IL6, TOP2A, CDK1, POLE, CCNB1, TNF, CCNA2, CDC20, ITGAM, and MYC were the top 10 core genes. The subnetworks from the PPI network were identified to further elucidate the most significant functional modules of the DE mRNAs. These data may provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the early acute phase of SCI. The identification of lncRNAs and mRNAs may offer potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for SCI.

The expression pattern of fibroblast growth factor 10 and its receptors during buffalo follicular development

This study explored the expression and localization of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 10 and its receptors (FGF receptor 1 and FGF receptor 2, FGFR1 and FGFR2) during buffalo follicular development, laying a foundation for the further study of FGF signaling pathways in follicular development and oogenesis. Granulosa cells and ovarian follicles were extracted from buffalo ovaries, and in vitro maturation culture of oocytes was conducted. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of FGF10 and its receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2. In addition, immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of FGF10 in buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). Moreover, mRNA levels of FGF10, sub-types of FGFR1 and FGFR2 (FGFR1b and FGFR2b) were measured using qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry results showed that FGF10 and its receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 appeared to have positive responses in buffalo primordial follicles, primary follicles, secondary follicles, and mature follicle oocytes and granulosa cells, and mature follicle basal membrane cells. However, no expression of FGF10 mRNA was detected in granulosa cells from follicles of different diameters, but immunofluorescence results showed that FGF10 could be detected in both cumulus cells and oocytes. With an increase in the vitro maturation time of buffalo COCs, FGF10 and receptor sub-types FGFR1b and FGFR2b mRNA expression also gradually increased, and significantly higher than before maturation. In summary, FGF10 and its receptors may be involved in the process of buffalo follicular development and oocyte maturation.

Clinical Trials in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in impaired neurologic function that for many individuals is permanent and significantly impacts health, function, quality of life, and life expectancy. Many efforts have been taken to develop effective treatments for SCI; nevertheless, proven therapies targeting neurologic regeneration and functional recovery have been limited. Existing therapeutic approaches, including early surgery, strict blood pressure control, and consideration of treatment with steroids, remain debated and largely focus on mitigating secondary injury after the primary trauma has occurred. Today, there is more research being performed in SCI than ever before. Current clinical trials are exploring pharmacologic, cell-based, physiologic, and rehabilitation approaches to reduce secondary injury and also overcome barriers to neurorecovery. In the future, it is likely that tailored treatments combining many of these strategies will offer significant benefits for persons with SCI. This article aims to review key past, current and emerging neurologic and rehabilitation therapeutic approaches for adults with traumatic SCI.