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Cunningham C, Viskontas M, Janowicz K, Sani Y, Håkansson M, Heidari A, Huang W, Bo X. The potential of gene therapies for spinal cord injury repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:299-305. [PMID: 35900407 PMCID: PMC9396485 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.347941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is no cure for traumatic spinal cord injury but one therapeutic approach showing promise is gene therapy. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the efficacy of gene therapies in pre-clinical models of spinal cord injury and the risk of bias. In this meta-analysis, registered at PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42020185008), we identified relevant controlled in vivo studies published in English by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. No restrictions of the year of publication were applied and the last literature search was conducted on August 3, 2020. We then conducted a random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood estimator. A total of 71 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Our results showed that overall, gene therapies were associated with improvements in locomotor score (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.68–2.47, Tau2 = 2.13, I2 = 83.6%) and axonal regrowth (SMD: 2.78, 95%CI: 1.92–3.65, Tau2 = 4.13, I2 = 85.5%). There was significant asymmetry in the funnel plots of both outcome measures indicating the presence of publication bias. We used a modified CAMARADES (Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data in Experimental Studies) checklist to assess the risk of bias, finding that the median score was 4 (IQR:3–5). In particular, reports of allocation concealment and sample size calculations were lacking. In conclusion, gene therapies are showing promise as therapies for spinal cord injury repair, but there is no consensus on which gene or genes should be targeted.
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Muheremu A, Shu L, Liang J, Aili A, Jiang K. Sustained delivery of neurotrophic factors to treat spinal cord injury. Transl Neurosci 2021; 12:494-511. [PMID: 34900347 PMCID: PMC8633588 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that results in tremendous physical and psychological harm and a series of socioeconomic problems. Although neurons in the spinal cord need neurotrophic factors for their survival and development to reestablish their connections with their original targets, endogenous neurotrophic factors are scarce and the sustainable delivery of exogeneous neurotrophic factors is challenging. The widely studied neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, nerve growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor have a relatively short cycle that is not sufficient enough for functionally significant neural regeneration after SCI. In the past decades, scholars have tried a variety of cellular and viral vehicles as well as tissue engineering scaffolds to safely and sustainably deliver those necessary neurotrophic factors to the injury site, and achieved satisfactory neural repair and functional recovery on many occasions. Here, we review the neurotrophic factors that have been used in trials to treat SCI, and vehicles that were commonly used for their sustained delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikeremujiang Muheremu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39 Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Shu
- Department of Orthopedics, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39, Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Abudunaibi Aili
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39 Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kan Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
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3
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Lin Q, Wang DG, Zhang ZQ, Liu DP. Applications of Virus Vector-Mediated Gene Therapy in China. Hum Gene Ther 2019; 29:98-109. [PMID: 29284296 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the increased safety and efficiency of virus vectors, virus vector-mediated gene therapy is now widely used for various diseases, including monogenic diseases, complex disorders, and infectious diseases. Recent gene therapy trials have shown significant therapeutic benefits, and Chinese researchers have contributed significantly to this progress. This review highlights disease applications and strategies for virus vector-mediated gene therapy in preclinical studies and clinical trials in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Deng-Gao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu-Qin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - De-Pei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Zheng M, Chen R, Chen H, Zhang Y, Chen J, Lin P, Lan Q, Yuan Q, Lai Y, Jiang X, Pan X, Liu N. Netrin-1 Promotes Synaptic Formation and Axonal Regeneration via JNK1/c-Jun Pathway after the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:13. [PMID: 29487502 PMCID: PMC5816818 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As a secreted axon guidance molecule, Netrin-1 has been documented to be a neuroprotective factor, which can reduce infarct volume, promote angiogenesis and anti-apoptosis after stroke in rodents. However, its role in axonal regeneration and synaptic formation after cerebral ischemic injury, and the related underlying mechanisms remain blurred. In this study, we used Adeno-associated vectors carrying Netrin-1 gene (AAV-NT-1) to up-regulate the expression level of Netrin-1 in rats’ brain after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We found that the up-regulated level of Netrin-1 and its receptor DCC promoted axonal regeneration and synaptic formation; the overexpression of Netrin-1 activated the JNK1 signaling pathway; these effects were partially reduced when JNK1 signaling pathway was inhibited by SP600125 (JNK specific inhibitor). Taken together, these findings suggest that Netrin-1 can facilitate the synaptic formation and axonal regeneration via the JNK1 signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia, thus promoting the recovery of neural functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouwei Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ronghua Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongbin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yixian Zhang
- Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianhao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Peiqiang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Quan Lan
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qilin Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yongxing Lai
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinhong Jiang
- Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Pan
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.,Institute of Cerebral Vascular Disease of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
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Yimer EM, Zewdie KA, Hishe HZ. Netrin as a Novel Biomarker and Its Therapeutic Implications in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes-Associated Complications. J Diabetes Res 2018; 2018:8250521. [PMID: 30320139 PMCID: PMC6167572 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8250521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is a multifactorial metabolic syndrome and is one of the shared long-lasting illnesses globally. It is linked to long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications that contribute to disability, compromised quality of life, and reduction in lifespan, which eventually leads to death. This disease is not only incurring significant economic burden but also adversely affects the patients, caregivers, communities, and the society at large. The interruption of diabetes progress and its complications is a primary focus of scientific communities. In spite of various diagnostic modalities for diabetes, there is a limited marker to investigate the risk and progress of its complications. Netrin has recently received more attention as a biomarker of diabetes and a broader range of long-term complication. Therefore, the impetus of this review is to exhaustively discuss the role of Netrin as a potential biomarker and its therapeutic implication in diabetes and diverse sets of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. It also discourses the possible mechanisms of Netrin for the said pharmacological effect for a better understanding of the development and progression of diabetes and its complications in relation to this protein. It enables protective measures to be applied at the subclinical stage and the responses to preventive or therapeutic measures to be scrutinized. Besides, it might also facilitate the appraisal of novel therapeutic options for diabetes and various complications through modifying the endogenous Netrin and provide surrogate endpoints for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim M. Yimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
| | - Kaleab Alemayehu Zewdie
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
| | - Hailemichael Zeru Hishe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
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Distal axotomy enhances retrograde presynaptic excitability onto injured pyramidal neurons via trans-synaptic signaling. Nat Commun 2017; 8:625. [PMID: 28931811 PMCID: PMC5607003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Injury of CNS nerve tracts remodels circuitry through dendritic spine loss and hyper-excitability, thus influencing recovery. Due to the complexity of the CNS, a mechanistic understanding of injury-induced synaptic remodeling remains unclear. Using microfluidic chambers to separate and injure distal axons, we show that axotomy causes retrograde dendritic spine loss at directly injured pyramidal neurons followed by retrograde presynaptic hyper-excitability. These remodeling events require activity at the site of injury, axon-to-soma signaling, and transcription. Similarly, directly injured corticospinal neurons in vivo also exhibit a specific increase in spiking following axon injury. Axotomy-induced hyper-excitability of cultured neurons coincides with elimination of inhibitory inputs onto injured neurons, including those formed onto dendritic spines. Netrin-1 downregulation occurs following axon injury and exogenous netrin-1 applied after injury normalizes spine density, presynaptic excitability, and inhibitory inputs at injured neurons. Our findings show that intrinsic signaling within damaged neurons regulates synaptic remodeling and involves netrin-1 signaling. Spinal cord injury can induce synaptic reorganization and remodeling in the brain. Here the authors study how severed distal axons signal back to the cell body to induce hyperexcitability, loss of inhibition and enhanced presynaptic release through netrin-1.
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MicroRNA-127 targeting of mitoNEET inhibits neurite outgrowth, induces cell apoptosis and contributes to physiological dysfunction after spinal cord transection. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35205. [PMID: 27748416 PMCID: PMC5066253 DOI: 10.1038/srep35205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroregeneration and apoptosis are two important pathophysiologic changes after spinal cord injury (SCI), but their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the regulation of neuroregeneration and neuronal apoptosis, research areas that have been greatly expanded in recent years. Here, using miRNA arrays to profile miRNA transcriptomes, we demonstrated that miR-127-3p was significantly down-regulated after spinal cord transection (SCT). Then, bioinformatics analyses and experimental detection showed that miR-127-3p exhibited specific effects on the regulation of neurite outgrowth and the induction of neuronal apoptosis by regulating the expression of the mitochondrial membrane protein mitoNEET. Moreover, knockdown of MitoNEET leaded to neuronal loss and apoptosis in primary cultured spinal neurons. This study therefore revealed that miR-127-3p, which targets mitoNEET, plays a vital role in regulating neurite outgrowth and neuronal apoptosis after SCT. Thus, modificatioin of the mitoNEET expression, such as mitoNEET activition may provide a new strategy for the treatment of SCI in preclinical trials.
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