Growth-associated protein-43 expression in cocultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons and skeletal muscle cells with different neurotrophins

A systematic review and meta-analysis of chondroitinase ABC promotes functional recovery in rat models of spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

To comprehensively assess the neurologic recovery potential of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for animal experiments that evaluated the use of ChABC in the treatment of SCI up to November 2022. Studies reporting neurological function using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale, as well as assessments of cavity area, lesion area, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels, were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 46 studies were ultimately selected for inclusion. The results of the study showed that rats with SCI that received ChABC therapy exhibited a significant improvement in locomotor function after 7 days compared with controls (32 studies, weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.58, [0.33, 0.83], p < 0.00001). Furthermore, the benefits of ChABC therapy were maintained for up to 28 days according to BBB scale. The lesion area was reduced by ChABC (5 studies, WMD = -20.94, [-28.42, -13.46], p < 0.00001). Meanwhile, GFAP levels were reduced in the ChABC treatment group (8 studies, WMD = -29.15, [-41.57, -16.72], p < 0.00001). Cavity area is not statistically significant. The subgroup analysis recommended that a single injection of 10 μL (8 studies, WMD = 2.82, [1.99, 3.65], p < 0.00001) or 20 U/mL (4 studies, WMD = 2.21, [0.73, 3.70], p = 0.003) had a better effect on improving the function. The funnel plot of the BBB scale was found to be essentially symmetrical, indicating a low risk of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis has indicated that ChABC could improve functional recovery in rats after SCI.

Specific effects of neuregulin-1β on the communication between DRG neurons and skeletal muscle cells in vitro

The communication between primary afferent neuron and skeletal muscle (SKM) is one of the important factors on maintaining the structure and function of SKM cells. Neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) signaling is essential for regulating synaptic neurotransmission. Here, we established a neuromuscular coculture model of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and SKM cells to explore the nerve-muscle communication in the presence of exogenous NRG-1β. The expression of three distinct subtypes (TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) of tyrosine kinase receptors was monitored for the phenotypical alterations of the neurons. The aggregation extent of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) represents the specific changes of SKM cells after NRG-1β incubation in this neuromuscular coculture model. The results showed that NRG-1β not only enhanced neurite outgrowth of DRG neurons but also increased the length and branches of SKM cells. NRG-1β treatment not only induced expression of all the three subtypes of Trk receptors in neurons but also promoted AChR aggregation on the surface of SKM cells. The effects of NRG-1β could be blocked by administration of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, PI3K inhibitor LY294002, and JAK2 inhibitor AG490, respectively. These data imply that NRG-1β is essential for the nerve-muscle communication by enhancing growth and modifying phenotypes of the two different kinds of cells. The specific effects produced by NRG-1β add novel interpretation for nerve-muscle communication between sensory neurons and SKM cells.

The combination of db-cAMP and ChABC with poly(propylene carbonate) microfibers promote axonal regenerative sprouting and functional recovery after spinal cord hemisection injury

This study describes the use of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) electrospun microfibres impregnated with a combination of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP) and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) in the treatment of right-side hemisected spinal cord injury (SCI). Release of db-cAMP and/or ChABC from the microfibres was assessed in vitro using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Drug-impregnated microfibres were implanted into the hemisected thoracic spinal cord of rats, and treatment was evaluated using functional recovery examinations and immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrated that the microfibres containing db-cAMP and/or ChABC displayed a stable and prolonged release of each agent. Sustained delivery of db-cAMP and/or ChABC was found to promote axonal regenerative sprouting, functional recovery, and reduced glial scar formation when compared to untreated control animals. The combination of both db-cAMP and ChABC was determined to be more effective than using either drug alone in the treatment of SCI. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using PPC electrospun microfibres for multi-drug combination therapy in SCI.

Sustained delivery of chondroitinase ABC by poly(propylene carbonate)-chitosan micron fibers promotes axon regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord hemisection

We describe the sustained delivery of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) in the hemisected spinal cord using polypropylene carbonate (PPC) electrospun fibers with chitosan (CS) microspheres as a vehicle. PPC and ChABC-loaded CS microspheres were mixed with acetonitrile, and micron fibers were generated by electrospinning. ChABC release was assessed in vitro with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and revealed stabilized and prolonged release. Moreover, the released ChABC showed sustained activity. PPC-CS micron fibers with or without ChABC were then implanted into a hemisected thoracic spinal cord. In the following 4 weeks, we examined functional recovery and performed immunohistochemical analyses. We found that sustained delivery of ChABC promoted axon sprouting and functional recovery and reduced glial scarring; PPC-CS micron fibers without ChABC did not show these effects. The present findings suggest that PPC-CS micron fibers containing ChABC are a feasible option for spinal cord injury treatment. Furthermore, the system described here may be useful for local delivery of other therapeutic agents.