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Huang Y, Mai Y, Ye W, Lv S, Zhou Y, Wu P, Zhou L, Li Y, Zhong K. Brachial Plexus Root Avulsion Injury-Induced Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-Like 1 Overexpression Is Associated with Injured Motor Neurons Survival. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:5194-5205. [PMID: 38170441 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03887-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Brachial plexus root avulsion (BPRA) injury arises from challenging delivery during childbirth, sports-related incidents, or car accidents, leading to extensive loss of motor neurons (MNs) and subsequent paralysis, including both motor and sensory impairment. Surgical nerve re-implantation cannot effectively restore motor function, and the survival of injured MNs is vital for axon regeneration and re-innervating the target muscles. Therefore, identifying novel molecular targets to improve injured MNs survival is of great significance in the treatment of BPRA injuries. Endothelin-converting enzyme-like 1 (ECEL1), a membrane-bound metallopeptidase, was initially identified as a molecule associated with nerve injuries. Damaged neurons exhibit a significant increase in the expression of ECEL1 following various types of nerve injuries, such as optic nerve injury and sciatic nerve injury. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ECEL1 overexpression and the survival of injured MNs following BPRA injury. Our results observed a significant elevation in ECEL1 expression in injured MNs and positively correlated with MNs survival following BPRA injury. The transcription of ECEL1 is regulated by the transcription factors c-Jun and ATF3 in the context of BPRA injury, which is consistent with previous other nerve injuries study. In addition, the expression of TrkA gradually decreases in ECEL1-positive MNs and ECEL1 possibly preserves the activity of downstream AKT-GSK3β pathway of TrkA in injured MNs. In conclusion, our results introduce a promising therapeutic molecular target to assist re-implantation surgery for the treatment of BPRA injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunlin Mai
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weijian Ye
- Center of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT-MRI Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiqin Lv
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pingzhen Wu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihua Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingqin Li
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 52 Mei Hua East Road, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ke Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yanjiang West Road, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
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Ogino Y, Bernas T, Greer JE, Povlishock JT. Axonal injury following mild traumatic brain injury is exacerbated by repetitive insult and is linked to the delayed attenuation of NeuN expression without concomitant neuronal death in the mouse. Brain Pathol 2021; 32:e13034. [PMID: 34729854 PMCID: PMC8877729 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects brain structure and function and can lead to persistent abnormalities. Repetitive mTBI exacerbates the acute phase response to injury. Nonetheless, its long‐term implications remain poorly understood, particularly in the context of traumatic axonal injury (TAI), a player in TBI morbidity via axonal disconnection, synaptic loss and retrograde neuronal perturbation. In contrast to the examination of these processes in the acute phase of injury, the chronic‐phase burden of TAI and/or its implications for retrograde neuronal perturbation or death have received little consideration. To critically assess this issue, murine neocortical tissue was investigated at acute (24‐h postinjury, 24hpi) and chronic time points (28‐days postinjury, 28dpi) after singular or repetitive mTBI induced by central fluid percussion injury (cFPI). Neurons were immunofluorescently labeled for NeuroTrace and NeuN (all neurons), p‐c‐Jun (axotomized neurons) and DRAQ5 (cell nuclei), imaged in 3D and quantified in automated manner. Single mTBI produced axotomy in 10% of neurons at 24hpi and the percentage increased after repetitive injury. The fraction of p‐c‐Jun+ neurons decreased at 28dpi but without neuronal loss (NeuroTrace), suggesting their reorganization and/or repair following TAI. In contrast, NeuN+ neurons decreased with repetitive injury at 24hpi while the corresponding fraction of NeuroTrace+ neurons decreased over 28dpi. Attenuated NeuN expression was linked exclusively to non‐axotomized neurons at 24hpi which extended to the axotomized at 28dpi, revealing a delayed response of the axotomized neurons. Collectively, we demonstrate an increased burden of TAI after repetitive mTBI, which is most striking in the acute phase response to the injury. Our finding of widespread axotomy in large fields of intact neurons contradicts the notion that repetitive mTBI elicits progressive neuronal death, rather, emphasizing the importance of axotomy‐mediated change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuaki Ogino
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Tytus Bernas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - John E Greer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Department of Surgery, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - John T Povlishock
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Maggiore JC, Burrell JC, Browne KD, Katiyar KS, Laimo FA, Ali ZS, Kaplan HM, Rosen JM, Cullen DK. Tissue engineered axon-based "living scaffolds" promote survival of spinal cord motor neurons following peripheral nerve repair. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 14:1892-1907. [PMID: 33049797 DOI: 10.1002/term.3145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) impacts millions annually, often leaving debilitated patients with minimal repair options to improve functional recovery. Our group has previously developed tissue engineered nerve grafts (TENGs) featuring long, aligned axonal tracts from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons that are fabricated in custom bioreactors using the process of axon "stretch-growth." We have shown that TENGs effectively serve as "living scaffolds" to promote regeneration across segmental nerve defects by exploiting the newfound mechanism of axon-facilitated axon regeneration, or "AFAR," by simultaneously providing haptic and neurotrophic support. To extend this work, the current study investigated the efficacy of living versus nonliving regenerative scaffolds in preserving host sensory and motor neuronal health following nerve repair. Rats were assigned across five groups: naïve, or repair using autograft, nerve guidance tube (NGT) with collagen, NGT + non-aligned DRG populations in collagen, or TENGs. We found that TENG repairs yielded equivalent regenerative capacity as autograft repairs based on preserved health of host spinal cord motor neurons and acute axonal regeneration, whereas NGT repairs or DRG neurons within an NGT exhibited reduced motor neuron preservation and diminished regenerative capacity. These acute regenerative benefits ultimately resulted in enhanced levels of functional recovery in animals receiving TENGs, at levels matching those attained by autografts. Our findings indicate that TENGs may preserve host spinal cord motor neuron health and regenerative capacity without sacrificing an otherwise uninjured nerve (as in the case of the autograft) and therefore represent a promising alternative strategy for neurosurgical repair following PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Maggiore
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Justin C Burrell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kevin D Browne
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kritika S Katiyar
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Axonova Medical LLC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Franco A Laimo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zarina S Ali
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hilton M Kaplan
- New Jersey Center for Biomaterials, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Joseph M Rosen
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Division of Plastic Surgery, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, CMC VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Axonova Medical LLC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Yu G, Zilundu PLM, Xu X, Li Y, Zhou Y, Zhong K, Fu R, Zhou LH. The temporal pattern of brachial plexus root avulsion-induced lncRNA and mRNA expression prior to the motoneuron loss in the injured spinal cord segments. Neurochem Int 2020; 132:104611. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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5
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Li YQ, Song FH, Zhong K, Yu GY, Zilundu PLM, Zhou YY, Fu R, Tang Y, Ling ZM, Xu X, Zhou LH. Pre-Injection of Small Interfering RNA (siRNA) Promotes c-Jun Gene Silencing and Decreases the Survival Rate of Axotomy-Injured Spinal Motoneurons in Adult Mice. J Mol Neurosci 2018; 65:400-410. [PMID: 29992498 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-018-1098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Brachial plexus injury is a common clinical peripheral nerve trauma. A series of genes in motoneurons were activated in the corresponding segments of the spinal cord after brachial plexus roots axotomy. The spatial and temporal expression of these genes directly affects the speed of motoneuron axon regeneration and precise target organ reinnervation. In a previous study, we observed the overexpression of c-Jun in motoneurons of the spinal cord ventral horn after brachial plexus injury in rats. However, the relevance of c-Jun expression with respect to the fate of axotomy-induced branchial plexus injury in adult mice remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the function of c-Jun in motoneuron recovery after axotomy. We pre-injected small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown c-Jun expression in mice and examined the effects of the overexpression of c-Jun in motoneurons after the axotomy of the brachial plexus in vivo. Axotomy induced c-Jun overexpression in the ventral horn motoneurons of adult mice from 3 to 14 days after injury. In addition, the pre-injection of siRNA transiently inhibited c-Jun expression and decreased the survival rate of axotomy-injured motoneurons. These findings indicate that the axotomy-induced overexpression of c-Jun plays an important role in the survival of ventral horn motoneurons in adult mice. In addition, the pre-injection of c-Jun siRNA through the brachial plexus stem effectively adjusts c-Jun gene expression at the ipsilateral side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Qin Li
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No.52 Mei Hua East Road, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fa-Huan Song
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Zhong
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Yin Yu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Prince Last Mudenda Zilundu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Ying Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Rao Fu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze-Min Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hua Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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