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Deng L, Sui T, Wang DV, Hou S, Cao X, Peng K, Xu Z, Xu X. Locomotor Exercise Enhances Supraspinal Control of Lower-Urinary-Tract Activity to Improve Micturition Function after Contusive Spinal-Cord Injury. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091398. [PMID: 35563703 PMCID: PMC9104392 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The recovery of lower-urinary-tract activity is a top priority for patients with spinal-cord injury. Historically, locomotor training improved micturition function in both patients with spinal cord injury and animal models. We explore whether training augments such as the supraspinal control of the external urethral sphincter results in enhanced coordination in detrusor-sphincter activity. We implemented a clinically relevant contusive spinal-cord injury at the 12th thoracic level in rats and administered forced wheel running exercise for 11 weeks. Awake rats then underwent bladder cystometrogram and sphincter electromyography recordings to examine the micturition reflex. Subsequently, pseudorabies-virus-encoding red fluorescent protein was injected into the sphincter to trans-synaptically trace the supraspinal innervation of Onuf's motoneurons. Training in the injury group reduced the occurrence of bladder nonvoiding contractions, decreased the voiding threshold and peak intravesical pressure, and shortened the latency of sphincter bursting during voiding, leading to enhanced voiding efficiency. Histological analysis demonstrated that the training increased the extent of spared spinal-cord tissue around the epicenter of lesions. Compared to the group of injury without exercise, training elicited denser 5-hydroxytryptamine-positive axon terminals in the vicinity of Onuf's motoneurons in the cord; more pseudorabies virus-labeled or c-fos expressing neurons were detected in the brainstem, suggesting the enhanced supraspinal control of sphincter activity. Thus, locomotor training promotes tissue sparing and axon innervation of spinal motoneurons to improve voiding function following contusive spinal-cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (T.S.); (K.P.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (X.X.); Tel.: +1-317-278-1030 (L.D.); +1-317-274-1036 (X.X.)
| | - Tao Sui
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (T.S.); (K.P.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China;
| | - Dong V. Wang
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (D.V.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Shaoping Hou
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA; (D.V.W.); (S.H.)
| | - Xiaojian Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China;
| | - Kaiwen Peng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (T.S.); (K.P.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Zaocheng Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (T.S.); (K.P.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xiaoming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (T.S.); (K.P.); (Z.X.)
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (X.X.); Tel.: +1-317-278-1030 (L.D.); +1-317-274-1036 (X.X.)
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Liu L, Bonventre JV, Rittenhouse AR. cPLA2α-/- sympathetic neurons exhibit increased membrane excitability and loss of N-Type Ca2+ current inhibition by M1 muscarinic receptor signaling. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201322. [PMID: 30557348 PMCID: PMC6296557 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Group IVa cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2α) mediates GPCR-stimulated arachidonic acid (AA) release from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) located in plasma membranes. We previously found in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons that PLA2 activity is required for voltage-independent N-type Ca2+ (N-) current inhibition by M1 muscarinic receptors (M1Rs). These findings are at odds with an alternative model, previously observed for M-current inhibition, where PIP2 dissociation from channels and subsequent metabolism by phospholipase C suffices for current inhibition. To resolve cPLA2α’s importance, we have investigated its role in mediating voltage-independent N-current inhibition (~40%) that follows application of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M (Oxo-M). Preincubation with different cPLA2α antagonists or dialyzing cPLA2α antibodies into cells minimized N-current inhibition by Oxo-M, whereas antibodies to Ca2+-independent PLA2 had no effect. Taking a genetic approach, we found that SCG neurons from cPLA2α-/- mice exhibited little N-current inhibition by Oxo-M, confirming a role for cPLA2α. In contrast, cPLA2α antibodies or the absence of cPLA2α had no effect on voltage-dependent N-current inhibition by M2/M4Rs or on M-current inhibition by M1Rs. These findings document divergent M1R signaling mediating M-current and voltage-independent N-current inhibition. Moreover, these differences suggest that cPLA2α acts locally to metabolize PIP2 intimately associated with N- but not M-channels. To determine cPLA2α’s functional importance more globally, we examined action potential firing of cPLA2α+/+ and cPLA2α-/- SCG neurons, and found decreased latency to first firing and interspike interval resulting in a doubling of firing frequency in cPLA2α-/- neurons. These unanticipated findings identify cPLA2α as a tonic regulator of neuronal membrane excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwang Liu
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph V. Bonventre
- Harvard Institute of Medicine, Harvard Medical School & Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ann R. Rittenhouse
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lewin MR, Gilliam LL, Gilliam J, Samuel SP, Bulfone TC, Bickler PE, Gutiérrez JM. Delayed LY333013 (Oral) and LY315920 (Intravenous) Reverse Severe Neurotoxicity and Rescue Juvenile Pigs from Lethal Doses of Micrurus fulvius (Eastern Coral Snake) Venom. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:E479. [PMID: 30453607 PMCID: PMC6265968 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a clear, unmet need for effective, lightweight, shelf-stable and economical snakebite envenoming therapies that can be given rapidly after the time of a snake's bite and as adjuncts to antivenom therapies in the hospital setting. The sPLA2 inhibitor, LY315920, and its orally bioavailable prodrug, LY333013, demonstrate surprising efficacy and have the characteristics of an antidote with potential for both field and hospital use. METHODS The efficacy of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (LY315920) and its prodrug (LY333013) to treat experimental, lethal envenoming by Micrurus fulvius (Eastern coral snake) venom was tested using a porcine model. Inhibitors were administered by either intravenous or oral routes at different time intervals after venom injection. In some experiments, antivenom was also administered alone or in conjunction with LY333013. RESULTS 14 of 14 animals (100%) receiving either LY315920 (intravenous) and/or LY333013 (oral) survived to the 120 h endpoint despite, in some protocols, the presence of severe neurotoxic signs. The study drugs demonstrated the ability to treat, rescue, and re-rescue animals with advanced manifestations of envenoming. CONCLUSIONS Low molecular mass sPLA2 inhibitors were highly effective in preventing lethality following experimental envenoming by M. fulvius. These findings suggest the plausibility of a new therapeutic approach to snakebite envenoming, in this example, for the treatment of a coral snake species for which there are limitations in the availability of effective antivenom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Lewin
- Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA.
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
| | - Lyndi L Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - John Gilliam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Stephen P Samuel
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4ET, UK.
| | - Tommaso C Bulfone
- Ophirex, Inc., Corte Madera, CA 94925, USA.
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
| | - Philip E Bickler
- Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
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Wang Y, Wu W, Wu X, Sun Y, Zhang YP, Deng LX, Walker MJ, Qu W, Chen C, Liu NK, Han Q, Dai H, Shields LB, Shields CB, Sengelaub DR, Jones KJ, Smith GM, Xu XM. Remodeling of lumbar motor circuitry remote to a thoracic spinal cord injury promotes locomotor recovery. eLife 2018; 7:39016. [PMID: 30207538 PMCID: PMC6170189 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrogradely-transported neurotrophin signaling plays an important role in regulating neural circuit specificity. Here we investigated whether targeted delivery of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) to lumbar motoneurons (MNs) caudal to a thoracic (T10) contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) could modulate dendritic patterning and synapse formation of the lumbar MNs. In vitro, Adeno-associated virus serotype two overexpressing NT-3 (AAV-NT-3) induced NT-3 expression and neurite outgrowth in cultured spinal cord neurons. In vivo, targeted delivery of AAV-NT-3 into transiently demyelinated adult mouse sciatic nerves led to the retrograde transportation of NT-3 to the lumbar MNs, significantly attenuating SCI-induced lumbar MN dendritic atrophy. NT-3 enhanced sprouting and synaptic formation of descending serotonergic, dopaminergic, and propriospinal axons on lumbar MNs, parallel to improved behavioral recovery. Thus, retrogradely transported NT-3 stimulated remodeling of lumbar neural circuitry and synaptic connectivity remote to a thoracic SCI, supporting a role for retrograde transport of NT-3 as a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Neural Tissue Engineering Research Institute, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Xiangbing Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yan Sun
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi P Zhang
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, United States
| | - Ling-Xiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Melissa Jane Walker
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Wenrui Qu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Chen Chen
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, United States
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Qi Han
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Heqiao Dai
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Lisa Be Shields
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, United States
| | | | - Dale R Sengelaub
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Kathryn J Jones
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - George M Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
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Avila-Martin G, Mata-Roig M, Galán-Arriero I, Taylor JS, Busquets X, Escribá PV. Treatment with albumin-hydroxyoleic acid complex restores sensorimotor function in rats with spinal cord injury: Efficacy and gene expression regulation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189151. [PMID: 29244816 PMCID: PMC5731767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorimotor dysfunction following incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) is often characterized by paralysis, spasticity and pain. Previously, we showed that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of the albumin-oleic acid (A-OA) complex in rats with SCI produced partial improvement of these symptoms and that oral 2-hydroxyoleic acid (HOA, a non-hydrolyzable OA analogue), was efficacious in the modulation and treatment of nociception and pain-related anxiety, respectively. Here we observed that intrathecal treatment with the complex albumin-HOA (A-HOA) every 3 days following T9 spinal contusion injury improved locomotor function assessed with the Rotarod and inhibited TA noxious reflex activity in Wistar rats. To investigate the mechanism of action of A-HOA, microarray analysis was carried out in the spinal cord lesion area. Representative genes involved in pain and neuroregeneration were selected to validate the changes observed in the microarray analysis by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Comparison of the expression between healthy rats, SCI rats, and SCI treated with A-HOA rats revealed relevant changes in the expression of genes associated with neuronal morphogenesis and growth, neuronal survival, pain and inflammation. Thus, treatment with A-HOA not only induced a significant overexpression of growth and differentiation factor 10 (GDF10), tenascin C (TNC), aspirin (ASPN) and sushi-repeat-containing X-linked 2 (SRPX2), but also a significant reduction in the expression of prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) and phospholipases A1 and A2 (PLA1/2). Currently, SCI has very important unmet clinical needs. A-HOA downregulated genes involved with inflammation and upregulated genes involved in neuronal growth, and may serve to promote recovery of function after experimental SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Mata-Roig
- Department of Pathology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Julian S. Taylor
- Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain
- Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, NHS, Aylesbury, United Kingdom
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xavier Busquets
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pablo V. Escribá
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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AAV-KLF7 Promotes Descending Propriospinal Neuron Axonal Plasticity after Spinal Cord Injury. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:1621629. [PMID: 28884027 PMCID: PMC5572611 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1621629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
DPSN axons mediate and maintain a variety of normal spinal functions. Unsurprisingly, DPSN tracts have been shown to mediate functional recovery following SCI. KLF7 could contribute to CST axon plasticity after spinal cord injury. In the present study, we assessed whether KLF7 could effectively promote DPSN axon regeneration and synapse formation following SCI. An AAV-KLF7 construct was used to overexpress KLF7. In vitro, KLF7 and target proteins were successfully elevated and axonal outgrowth was enhanced. In vivo, young adult C57BL/6 mice received a T10 contusion followed by an AAV-KLF7 injection at the T7–9 levels above the lesion. Five weeks later, overexpression of KLF7 was expressed in DPSN. KLF7 and KLF7 target genes (NGF, TrkA, GAP43, and P0) were detectably increased in the injured spinal cord. Myelin sparring at the lesion site, DPSN axonal regeneration and synapse formation, muscle weight, motor endplate morphology, and functional parameters were all additionally improved by KLF7 treatment. Our findings suggest that KLF7 promotes DPSN axonal plasticity and the formation of synapses with motor neurons at the caudal spinal cord, leading to improved functional recovery and further supporting the potential of AAV-KLF7 as a therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury.
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Unilateral microinjection of acrolein into thoracic spinal cord produces acute and chronic injury and functional deficits. Neuroscience 2016; 326:84-94. [PMID: 27058147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.03.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Although lipid peroxidation has long been associated with spinal cord injury (SCI), the specific role of lipid peroxidation-derived byproducts such as acrolein in mediating damage remains to be fully understood. Acrolein, an α-β unsaturated aldehyde, is highly reactive with proteins, DNA, and phospholipids and is considered as a second toxic messenger that disseminates and augments initial free radical events. Previously, we showed that acrolein increased following traumatic SCI and injection of acrolein induced tissue damage. Here, we demonstrate that microinjection of acrolein into the thoracic spinal cord of adult rats resulted in dose-dependent tissue damage and functional deficits. At 24h (acute) after the microinjection, tissue damage, motoneuron loss, and spinal cord swelling were observed on sections stained with Cresyl Violet. Luxol fast blue staining further showed that acrolein injection resulted in dose-dependent demyelination. At 8weeks (chronic) after the microinjection, cord shrinkage, astrocyte activation, and macrophage infiltration were observed along with tissue damage, neuron loss, and demyelination. These pathological changes resulted in behavioral impairments as measured by both the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and grid walking analysis. Electron microscopy further demonstrated that acrolein induced axonal degeneration, demyelination, and macrophage infiltration. These results, combined with our previous reports, strongly suggest that acrolein may play a critical causal role in the pathogenesis of SCI and that targeting acrolein could be an attractive strategy for repair after SCI.
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Liu NK, Xu XM. Neuroprotection and its molecular mechanism following spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2015; 7:2051-62. [PMID: 25624837 PMCID: PMC4296426 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.26.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute spinal cord injury initiates a complex cascade of molecular events termed ‘secondary injury’, which leads to progressive degeneration ranging from early neuronal apoptosis at the lesion site to delayed degeneration of intact white matter tracts, and, ultimately, expansion of the initial injury. These secondary injury processes include, but are not limited to, inflammation, free radical-induced cell death, glutamate excitotoxicity, phospholipase A2 activation, and induction of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, which are important targets in developing neuroprotective strategies for treatment of spinal cord injury. Recently, a number of studies have shown promising results on neuroprotection and recovery of function in rodent models of spinal cord injury using treatments that target secondary injury processes including inflammation, phospholipase A2 activation, and manipulation of the PTEN-Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The present review outlines our ongoing research on the molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection in experimental spinal cord injury and briefly summarizes our earlier findings on the therapeutic potential of pharmacological treatments in spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery & Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery & Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Translational research in neurotrauma: novel mechanisms and emerging therapies. Transl Stroke Res 2011; 2:425-6. [PMID: 24323677 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-011-0135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2011] [Revised: 10/29/2011] [Accepted: 10/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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