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Thomas SJ, Ghosh B, Wang Z, Yang M, Nong J, Severa J, Wright MC, Zhong Y, Lepore AC. Hepatocyte Growth Factor Delivery to Injured Cervical Spinal Cord Using an Engineered Biomaterial Protects Respiratory Neural Circuitry and Preserves Functional Diaphragm Innervation. J Neurotrauma 2024. [PMID: 39078323 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2024.0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
A major portion of spinal cord injury (SCI) cases occur in the cervical region, where essential components of the respiratory neural circuitry are located. Phrenic motor neurons (PhMNs) housed at cervical spinal cord level C3-C5 directly innervate the diaphragm, and SCI-induced damage to these cells severely impairs respiratory function. In this study, we tested a biomaterial-based approach aimed at preserving this critical phrenic motor circuitry after cervical SCI by locally delivering hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HGF is a potent mitogen that promotes survival, proliferation, migration, repair, and regeneration of a number of different cell and tissue types in response to injury. We developed a hydrogel-based HGF delivery system that can be injected into the intrathecal space for local delivery of high levels of HGF without damaging the spinal cord. Implantation of HGF hydrogel after unilateral C5 contusion-type SCI in rats preserved diaphragm function, as assessed by in vivo recordings of both compound muscle action potentials and inspiratory electromyography amplitudes. HGF hydrogel also preserved PhMN innervation of the diaphragm, as assessed by both retrograde PhMN tracing and detailed neuromuscular junction morphological analysis. Furthermore, HGF hydrogel significantly decreased lesion size and degeneration of cervical motor neuron cell bodies, as well as reduced levels surrounding the injury site of scar-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan molecules that limit axon growth capacity. Our findings demonstrate that local biomaterial-based delivery of HGF hydrogel to injured cervical spinal cord is an effective strategy for preserving respiratory circuitry and diaphragm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Biswarup Ghosh
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mengxi Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jia Nong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jenna Severa
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Megan C Wright
- Department of Biology, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yinghui Zhong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Angelo C Lepore
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Kheirollahi A, Sadeghi S, Orandi S, Moayedi K, Khajeh K, Khoobi M, Golestani A. Chondroitinase as a therapeutic enzyme: Prospects and challenges. Enzyme Microb Technol 2024; 172:110348. [PMID: 37898093 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2023.110348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
The chondroitinases (Chase) are bacterial lyases that specifically digest chondroitin sulfate and/or dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycans via a β-elimination reaction and generate unsaturated disaccharides. In recent decades, these enzymes have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their potential applications in various aspects of medicine from the treatment of spinal cord injury to use as an analytical tool. In spite of this diverse spectrum, the application of Chase is faced with several limitations and challenges such as thermal instability and lack of a suitable delivery system. In the current review, we address potential therapeutic applications of Chase with emphasis on the challenges ahead. Then, we summarize the latest achievements to overcome the problems by considering the studies carried out in the field of enzyme engineering, drug delivery, and combination-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Kheirollahi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Solmaz Sadeghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Orandi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kiana Moayedi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran
| | - Mehdi Khoobi
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Golestani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Shu J, Wang C, Tao Y, Wang S, Cheng F, Zhang Y, Shi K, Xia K, Wang R, Wang J, Yu C, Chen J, Huang X, Xu H, Zhou X, Wu H, Liang C, Chen Q, Yan S, Li F. Thermosensitive hydrogel-based GPR124 delivery strategy for rebuilding blood-spinal cord barrier. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10561. [PMID: 37693060 PMCID: PMC10486335 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption, leading to secondary damage, such as hemorrhagic infiltration, inflammatory response, and neuronal cell death. It is of great significance to rebuild the BSCB at the early stage of SCI to alleviate the secondary injury for better prognosis. Yet, current research involved in the reconstruction of BSCB is insufficient. Accordingly, we provide a thermosensitive hydrogel-based G protein-coupled receptor 124 (GPR124) delivery strategy for rebuilding BSCB. Herein, we firstly found that the expression of GPR124 decreased post-SCI and demonstrated that treatment with recombinant GPR124 could partially alleviate the disruption of BSCB post-SCI by restoring tight junctions (TJs) and promoting migration and tube formation of endothelial cells. Interestingly, GPR124 could also boost the energy metabolism of endothelial cells. However, the absence of physicochemical stability restricted the wide usage of GPR124. Hence, we fabricated a thermosensitive heparin-poloxamer (HP) hydrogel that demonstrated sustained GPR124 production and maintained the bioactivity of GPR124 (HP@124) for rebuilding the BSCB and eventually enhancing functional motor recovery post-SCI. HP@124 hydrogel can encapsulate GPR124 at the lesion site by injection, providing prolonged release, preserving wounded tissues, and filling injured tissue cavities. Consequently, it induces synergistically efficient integrated regulation by blocking BSCB rupture, decreasing fibrotic scar formation, minimizing inflammatory response, boosting remyelination, and regenerating axons. Mechanistically, giving GPR124 activates energy metabolism via elevating the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2), and eventually restores the poor state of endothelial cells. This research demonstrated that early intervention by combining GPR124 with bioactive multifunctional hydrogel may have tremendous promise for restoring locomotor recovery in patients with central nervous system disorders, in addition to a translational approach for the medical therapy of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Shu
- International Institutes of MedicineThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineYiwuZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chenggui Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yiqing Tao
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shaoke Wang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Feng Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Kesi Shi
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Kaishun Xia
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ronghao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jingkai Wang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Jiangjie Chen
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xianpeng Huang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Xu
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Haobo Wu
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chengzhen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qixin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Shigui Yan
- International Institutes of MedicineThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineYiwuZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Fangcai Li
- Department of Orthopedics SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
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Cheng L, Sami A, Ghosh B, Goudsward HJ, Smith GM, Wright MC, Li S, Lepore AC. Respiratory axon regeneration in the chronically injured spinal cord. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 155:105389. [PMID: 33975016 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoting the combination of robust regeneration of damaged axons and synaptic reconnection of these growing axon populations with appropriate neuronal targets represents a major therapeutic goal following spinal cord injury (SCI). A key impediment to achieving this important aim includes an intrinsic inability of neurons to extend axons in adult CNS, particularly in the context of the chronically-injured spinal cord. We tested whether an inhibitory peptide directed against phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN: a central inhibitor of neuron-intrinsic axon growth potential) could restore inspiratory diaphragm function by reconnecting critical respiratory neural circuitry in a rat model of chronic cervical level 2 (C2) hemisection SCI. We found that systemic delivery of PTEN antagonist peptide 4 (PAP4) starting at 8 weeks after C2 hemisection promoted substantial, long-distance regeneration of injured bulbospinal rostral Ventral Respiratory Group (rVRG) axons into and through the lesion and back toward phrenic motor neurons (PhMNs) located in intact caudal C3-C5 spinal cord. Despite this robust rVRG axon regeneration, PAP4 stimulated only minimal recovery of diaphragm function. Furthermore, re-lesion through the hemisection site completely removed PAP4-induced functional improvement, demonstrating that axon regeneration through the lesion was responsible for this partial functional recovery. Interestingly, there was minimal formation of putative excitatory monosynaptic connections between regrowing rVRG axons and PhMN targets, suggesting that (1) limited rVRG-PhMN synaptic reconnectivity was responsible at least in part for the lack of a significant functional effect, (2) chronically-injured spinal cord presents an obstacle to achieving synaptogenesis between regenerating axons and post-synaptic targets, and (3) addressing this challenge is a potentially-powerful strategy to enhance therapeutic efficacy in the chronic SCI setting. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a non-invasive and transient pharmacological approach in chronic SCI to repair the critically-important neural circuitry controlling diaphragmatic respiratory function, but also sheds light on obstacles to circuit plasticity presented by the chronically-injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Cheng
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Armin Sami
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Biswarup Ghosh
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Hannah J Goudsward
- Department of Biology, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd., 220 Boyer Hall, Glenside, PA 19038, USA
| | - George M Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Shriners Hospitals for Pediatric Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140-5104, USA
| | - Megan C Wright
- Department of Biology, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Rd., 220 Boyer Hall, Glenside, PA 19038, USA
| | - Shuxin Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Shriners Hospitals for Pediatric Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, 3500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140-5104, USA
| | - Angelo C Lepore
- Department of Neuroscience, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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5
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Griffin JM, Bradke F. Therapeutic repair for spinal cord injury: combinatory approaches to address a multifaceted problem. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11505. [PMID: 32090481 PMCID: PMC7059014 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent years saw the advent of promising preclinical strategies that combat the devastating effects of a spinal cord injury (SCI) that are progressing towards clinical trials. However, individually, these treatments produce only modest levels of recovery in animal models of SCI that could hamper their implementation into therapeutic strategies in spinal cord injured humans. Combinational strategies have demonstrated greater beneficial outcomes than their individual components alone by addressing multiple aspects of SCI pathology. Clinical trial designs in the future will eventually also need to align with this notion. The scenario will become increasingly complex as this happens and conversations between basic researchers and clinicians are required to ensure accurate study designs and functional readouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarred M Griffin
- Laboratory for Axonal Growth and Regeneration, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank Bradke
- Laboratory for Axonal Growth and Regeneration, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
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6
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Han Q, Ordaz JD, Liu NK, Richardson Z, Wu W, Xia Y, Qu W, Wang Y, Dai H, Zhang YP, Shields CB, Smith GM, Xu XM. Descending motor circuitry required for NT-3 mediated locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury in mice. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5815. [PMID: 31862889 PMCID: PMC6925225 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13854-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Locomotor function, mediated by lumbar neural circuitry, is modulated by descending spinal pathways. Spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts descending projections and denervates lumbar motor neurons (MNs). We previously reported that retrogradely transported neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) to lumbar MNs attenuated SCI-induced lumbar MN dendritic atrophy and enabled functional recovery after a rostral thoracic contusion. Here we functionally dissected the role of descending neural pathways in response to NT-3-mediated recovery after a T9 contusive SCI in mice. We find that residual projections to lumbar MNs are required to produce leg movements after SCI. Next, we show that the spared descending propriospinal pathway, rather than other pathways (including the corticospinal, rubrospinal, serotonergic, and dopaminergic pathways), accounts for NT-3-enhanced recovery. Lastly, we show that NT-3 induced propriospino-MN circuit reorganization after the T9 contusion via promotion of dendritic regrowth rather than prevention of dendritic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Josue D Ordaz
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Zoe Richardson
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Wei Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yongzhi Xia
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Wenrui Qu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Heqiao Dai
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yi Ping Zhang
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Christopher B Shields
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - George M Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Center for Neural Rehabilitation and Repair, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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7
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Huang L, Xia B, Shi X, Gao J, Yang Y, Xu F, Qi F, Liang C, Huang J, Luo Z. Time-restricted release of multiple neurotrophic factors promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. FASEB J 2019; 33:8600-8613. [PMID: 30995417 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802065rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of multiple neurotrophic factors (NTFs), especially with time-restricted release kinetics, holds great potential for nerve repair. In this study, we utilized the tetracycline-regulatable Tet-On 3G system to control the expression of c-Jun, which is a common regulator of multiple NTFs in Schwann cells (SCs). In vitro, Tet-On/c-Jun-modified SCs showed a tightly controllable secretion of multiple NTFs, including glial cell line-derived NTF, nerve growth factor, brain-derived NTF, and artemin, by the addition or removal of doxycycline (Dox). When Tet-On/c-Jun-transduced SCs were grafted in vivo, the expression of NTFs could also be regulated by oral administration or removal of Dox. Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing results indicated that a biphasic NTF expression scheme (Dox+3/-9, NTFs were up-regulated for 3 wk and declined to physiologic levels for another 9 wk) achieved more axonal regeneration than continuous up-regulation of NTFs (Dox+12) or no NTF induction (Dox-12). More importantly, the Dox+3/-9-group animals showed much better functional recovery than the animals in the Dox+12 and Dox-12 groups. Our findings, for the first time, demonstrated drug-controllable expression of multiple NTFs in nerve repair cells both in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide new hope for developing an optimal therapeutic alternative for nerve repair through the time-restricted release of multiple NTFs using Tet-On/c-Jun-modified SCs.-Huang, L., Xia, B., Shi, X., Gao, J., Yang, Y., Xu, F., Qi, F., Liang, C., Huang, J., Luo, Z. Time-restricted release of multiple neurotrophic factors promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianbo Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yujie Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengyu Qi
- Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinghui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuojing Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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8
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History of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) and Its Use for Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8060109. [PMID: 29899247 PMCID: PMC6025482 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8060109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Following an initial mechanical insult, traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces a secondary wave of injury, resulting in a toxic lesion environment inhibitory to axonal regeneration. This review focuses on the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its application, in combination with other factors and cell transplantations, for repairing the injured spinal cord. As studies of recent decades strongly suggest that combinational treatment approaches hold the greatest therapeutic potential for the central nervous system (CNS) trauma, future directions of combinational therapies will also be discussed.
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9
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Rosich K, Hanna BF, Ibrahim RK, Hellenbrand DJ, Hanna A. The Effects of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:3311-3325. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Rosich
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bishoy F. Hanna
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, West Indies
| | - Rami K. Ibrahim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel J. Hellenbrand
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Amgad Hanna
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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10
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Führmann T, Anandakumaran PN, Shoichet MS. Combinatorial Therapies After Spinal Cord Injury: How Can Biomaterials Help? Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 28247563 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201601130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in an immediate loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site and is associated with a poor prognosis. The inhibitory environment that develops in response to the injury is mainly due to local expression of inhibitory factors, scarring and the formation of cystic cavitations, all of which limit the regenerative capacity of endogenous or transplanted cells. Strategies that demonstrate promising results induce a change in the microenvironment at- and around the lesion site to promote endogenous cell repair, including axonal regeneration or the integration of transplanted cells. To date, many of these strategies target only a single aspect of SCI; however, the multifaceted nature of SCI suggests that combinatorial strategies will likely be more effective. Biomaterials are a key component of combinatorial strategies, as they have the potential to deliver drugs locally over a prolonged period of time and aid in cell survival, integration and differentiation. Here we summarize the advantages and limitations of widely used strategies to promote recovery after injury and highlight recent research where biomaterials aided combinatorial strategies to overcome some of the barriers of spinal cord regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Führmann
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; 160 College Street, Room 514 Toronto ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry; 200 College Street Toronto ON M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - Priya N. Anandakumaran
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; 160 College Street, Room 514 Toronto ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; 164 College Street Toronto ON M5S 3G9 Canada
| | - Molly S. Shoichet
- The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; 160 College Street, Room 514 Toronto ON M5S 3E1 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry; 200 College Street Toronto ON M5S 3E5 Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering; 164 College Street Toronto ON M5S 3G9 Canada
- Department of Chemistry; University of Toronto; 80 St George St Toronto ON M5S 3H6 Canada
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Hodgetts SI, Harvey AR. Neurotrophic Factors Used to Treat Spinal Cord Injury. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 104:405-457. [PMID: 28215303 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The application of neurotrophic factors as a therapy to improve morphological and behavioral outcomes after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) has been the focus of many studies. These studies vary markedly in the type of neurotrophic factor that is delivered, the mode of administration, and the location, timing, and duration of the treatment. Generally, the majority of studies have had significant success if neurotrophic factors are applied in or close to the lesion site during the acute or the subacute phase after SCI. Comparatively fewer studies have administered neurotrophic factors in order to directly target the somata of injured neurons. The mode of delivery varies between acute injection of recombinant proteins, subacute or chronic delivery using a variety of strategies including osmotic minipumps, cell-mediated delivery, delivery using polymer release vehicles or supporting bridges of some sort, or the use of gene therapy to modify neurons, glial cells, or precursor/stem cells. In this brief review, we summarize the state of play of many of the therapies using these factors, most of which have been undertaken in rodent models of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Hodgetts
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.
| | - A R Harvey
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
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12
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Deng L, Ruan Y, Chen C, Frye CC, Xiong W, Jin X, Jones K, Sengelaub D, Xu XM. Characterization of dendritic morphology and neurotransmitter phenotype of thoracic descending propriospinal neurons after complete spinal cord transection and GDNF treatment. Exp Neurol 2015; 277:103-114. [PMID: 26730519 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), poor regeneration of damaged axons of the central nervous system (CNS) causes limited functional recovery. This limited spontaneous functional recovery has been attributed, to a large extent, to the plasticity of propriospinal neurons, especially the descending propriospinal neurons (dPSNs). Compared with the supraspinal counterparts, dPSNs have displayed significantly greater regenerative capacity, which can be further enhanced by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). In the present study, we applied a G-mutated rabies virus (G-Rabies) co-expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) to reveal Golgi-like dendritic morphology of dPSNs. We also investigated the neurotransmitters expressed by dPSNs after labeling with a retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG). dPSNs were examined in animals with sham injuries or complete spinal transections with or without GDNF treatment. Bilateral injections of G-Rabies and FG were made into the 2nd lumbar (L2) spinal cord at 3 days prior to a spinal cord transection performed at the 11th thoracic level (T11). The lesion gap was filled with Gelfoam containing either saline or GDNF in the injury groups. Four days post-injury, the rats were sacrificed for analysis. For those animals receiving G-rabies injection, the GFP signal in the T7-9 spinal cord was visualized via 2-photon microscopy. Dendritic morphology from stack images was traced and analyzed using a Neurolucida software. We found that dPSNs in sham injured animals had a predominantly dorsal-ventral distribution of dendrites. Transection injury resulted in alterations in the dendritic distribution with dorsal-ventral retraction and lateral-medial extension. Treatment with GDNF significantly increased the terminal dendritic length of dPSNs. The density of spine-like structures was increased after injury, and treatment with GDNF enhanced this effect. For the group receiving FG injections, immunohistochemistry for glutamate, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), glycine, and GABA was performed in the T7-9 spinal cord. We show that the majority of FG retrogradely-labeled dPSNs were located in the Rexed Lamina VII. Over 90% of FG-labeled neurons were glutamatergic, with the other three neurotransmitters contributing less than 10% of the total. To our knowledge this is the first report describing the morphologic characteristics of dPSNs and their neurotransmitter expressions, as well as the dendritic response of dPSNs after transection injury and GDNF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Deng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Yiwen Ruan
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute for CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou,China, 510632
| | - Chen Chen
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Christian Corbin Frye
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Wenhui Xiong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Xiaoming Jin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Kathryn Jones
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Dale Sengelaub
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202.
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Sachdeva R, Theisen CC, Ninan V, Twiss JL, Houlé JD. Exercise dependent increase in axon regeneration into peripheral nerve grafts by propriospinal but not sensory neurons after spinal cord injury is associated with modulation of regeneration-associated genes. Exp Neurol 2015; 276:72-82. [PMID: 26366525 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Insufficient regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) axons contributes to persisting neurological dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI). Peripheral nerve grafts (PNGs) support regeneration by thousands of injured intraspinal axons and help them bypass some of the extracellular barriers that form after SCI. However this number represents but a small portion of the total number of axons that are injured. Here we tested if rhythmic sensory stimulation during cycling exercise would boost the intrinsic regenerative state of neurons to enhance axon regeneration into PNGs after a lower thoracic (T12) spinal transection of adult rats. Using True Blue retrograde tracing, we show that 4 weeks of cycling improves regeneration into a PNG from lumbar interneurons but not by primary sensory neurons. The majority of neurons that regenerate their axon are within 5 mm of the lesion and their number increased 70% with exercise. Importantly propriospinal neurons in more distant regions (5-20 mm from the lesion) that routinely exhibit very limited regeneration responded to exercise by increasing the number of regenerating neurons by 900%. There was no exercise-associated increase in regeneration from sensory neurons. Analyses using fluorescent in situ hybridization showed that this increase in regenerative response is associated with changes in levels of mRNAs encoding the regeneration associated genes (RAGs) GAP43, β-actin and Neuritin. While propriospinal neurons showed increased mRNA levels in response to SCI alone and then to grafting and exercise, sensory neurons did not respond to SCI, but there was a response to the presence of a PNG. Thus, exercise is a non-invasive approach to modulate gene expression in injured neurons leading to an increase in regeneration. This sets the stage for future studies to test whether exercise will promote axon outgrowth beyond the PNG and reconnection with spinal cord neurons, thereby demonstrating a potential clinical application of this combined therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Sachdeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Catherine C Theisen
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Vinu Ninan
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - John D Houlé
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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Schwann cells generated from neonatal skin-derived precursors or neonatal peripheral nerve improve functional recovery after acute transplantation into the partially injured cervical spinal cord of the rat. J Neurosci 2015; 35:6714-30. [PMID: 25926450 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1070-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) holds considerable promise as a therapy for spinal cord injury, but the optimal source of these cells and the best timing for intervention remains debatable. Previously, we demonstrated that delayed transplantation of SCs generated from neonatal mouse skin-derived precursors (SKP-SCs) promoted repair and functional recovery in rats with thoracic contusions. Here, we conducted two experiments using neonatal rat cells and an incomplete cervical injury model to examine the efficacy of acute SKP-SC transplantation versus media control (Experiment 1) and versus nerve-derived SC or dermal fibroblast (Fibro) transplantation (Experiment 2). Despite limited graft survival, by 10 weeks after injury, rats that received SCs from either source showed improved functional recovery compared with media- or fibroblast-treated animals. Compared with media treatment, SKP-SC-transplanted rats showed enhanced rubrospinal tract (RST) sparing/plasticity in the gray matter (GM) rostral to injury, particularly in the absence of immunosuppression. The functional benefits of SC transplantations over fibroblast treatment correlated with the enhanced preservation of host tissue, reduced RST atrophy, and/or increased RST sparing/plasticity in the GM. In summary, our results indicate that: (1) early transplantation of neonatal SCs generated from skin or nerve promotes repair and functional recovery after incomplete cervical crush injury; (2) either of these cell types is preferable to Fibros for these purposes; and (3) age-matched SCs from these two sources do not differ in terms of their reparative effects or functional efficacy after transplantation into the injured cervical spinal cord.
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15
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Liu J, Chen P, Wang Q, Chen Y, Yu H, Ma J, Guo M, Piao M, Ren W, Xiang L. Meta analysis of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation promoting functional recovery of motor nerves in rats with complete spinal cord transection. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:1850-8. [PMID: 25422649 PMCID: PMC4239777 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.143434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation on functional recovery of rats with complete spinal cord transection. DATA SOURCES: A computer-based online search of Medline (1989–2013), Embase (1989–2013), Cochrane library (1989–2013), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (1989–2013), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1989–2013), VIP (1989–2013), Wanfang databases (1989–2013) and Chinese Clinical Trial Register was conducted to collect randomized controlled trial data regarding olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for the treatment of complete spinal cord transection in rats. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials investigating olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation and other transplantation methods for promoting neurological functional recovery of rats with complete spinal cord transection were included in the analysis. Meta analysis was conducted using RevMan 4.2.2 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores of rats with complete spinal cord transection were evaluated in this study. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials with high quality methodology were included. Meta analysis showed that Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores were significantly higher in the olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation group compared with the control group (WMD = 3.16, 95% CI (1.68, 4.65); P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Experimental studies have shown that olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation can promote the functional recovery of motor nerves in rats with complete spinal cord transection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taian Central Hospital, Taian, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Haiong Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Junxiong Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mingming Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Meihui Piao
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Weijian Ren
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Liangbi Xiang
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command Area of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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Harvey AR, Lovett SJ, Majda BT, Yoon JH, Wheeler LPG, Hodgetts SI. Neurotrophic factors for spinal cord repair: Which, where, how and when to apply, and for what period of time? Brain Res 2014; 1619:36-71. [PMID: 25451132 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.10.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A variety of neurotrophic factors have been used in attempts to improve morphological and behavioural outcomes after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Here we review many of these factors, their cellular targets, and their therapeutic impact on spinal cord repair in different, primarily rodent, models of SCI. A majority of studies report favourable outcomes but results are by no means consistent, thus a major aim of this review is to consider how best to apply neurotrophic factors after SCI to optimize their therapeutic potential. In addition to which factors are chosen, many variables need be considered when delivering trophic support, including where and when to apply a given factor or factors, how such factors are administered, at what dose, and for how long. Overall, the majority of studies have applied neurotrophic support in or close to the spinal cord lesion site, in the acute or sub-acute phase (0-14 days post-injury). Far fewer chronic SCI studies have been undertaken. In addition, comparatively fewer studies have administered neurotrophic factors directly to the cell bodies of injured neurons; yet in other instructive rodent models of CNS injury, for example optic nerve crush or transection, therapies are targeted directly at the injured neurons themselves, the retinal ganglion cells. The mode of delivery of neurotrophic factors is also an important variable, whether delivered by acute injection of recombinant proteins, sub-acute or chronic delivery using osmotic minipumps, cell-mediated delivery, delivery using polymer release vehicles or supporting bridges of some sort, or the use of gene therapy to modify neurons, glial cells or precursor/stem cells. Neurotrophic factors are often used in combination with cell or tissue grafts and/or other pharmacotherapeutic agents. Finally, the dose and time-course of delivery of trophic support should ideally be tailored to suit specific biological requirements, whether they relate to neuronal survival, axonal sparing/sprouting, or the long-distance regeneration of axons ending in a different mode of growth associated with terminal arborization and renewed synaptogenesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Harvey
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Sarah J Lovett
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Bernadette T Majda
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jun H Yoon
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lachlan P G Wheeler
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Stuart I Hodgetts
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Deng LX, Walker C, Xu XM. Schwann cell transplantation and descending propriospinal regeneration after spinal cord injury. Brain Res 2014; 1619:104-14. [PMID: 25257034 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), poor ability of damaged axons of the central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate causes very limited functional recovery. Schwann cells (SCs) have been widely explored as promising donors for transplantation to promote axonal regeneration in the CNS including the spinal cord. Compared with other CNS axonal pathways, injured propriospinal tracts display the strongest regenerative response to SC transplantation. Even without providing additional neurotrophic factors, propriospinal axons can grow into the SC environment which is rarely seen in supraspinal tracts. Propriospinal tract has been found to respond to several important neurotrophic factors secreted by SCs. Therefore, the SC is considered to be one of the most promising candidates for cell-based therapies for SCI. Since many reviews have already appeared on topics of SC transplantation in SCI repair, this review will focus particularly on the rationale of SC transplantation in mediating descending propriospinal axonal regeneration as well as optimizing such regeneration by using different combinatorial strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Xiao Deng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Chandler Walker
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Detloff MR, Smith EJ, Quiros Molina D, Ganzer PD, Houlé JD. Acute exercise prevents the development of neuropathic pain and the sprouting of non-peptidergic (GDNF- and artemin-responsive) c-fibers after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2014; 255:38-48. [PMID: 24560714 PMCID: PMC4036591 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) impaired sensory fiber transmission leads to chronic, debilitating neuropathic pain. Sensory afferents are responsive to neurotrophic factors, molecules that are known to promote survival and maintenance of neurons, and regulate sensory neuron transduction of peripheral stimuli. A subset of primary afferent fibers responds only to the glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands (GFLs) and is non-peptidergic. In peripheral nerve injury models, restoration of GDNF or artemin (another GFL) to pre-injury levels within the spinal cord attenuates neuropathic pain. One non-invasive approach to increase the levels of GFLs in the spinal cord is through exercise (Ex), and to date exercise training is the only ameliorative, non-pharmacological treatment for SCI-induced neuropathic pain. The purpose of this study was 3-fold: 1) to determine whether exercise affects the onset of SCI-induced neuropathic pain; 2) to examine the temporal profile of GDNF and artemin in the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord dorsal horn regions associated with forepaw dermatomes after SCI and Ex; and 3) to characterize GFL-responsive sensory fiber plasticity after SCI and Ex. Adult, female, Sprague-Dawley rats received a moderate, unilateral spinal cord contusion at C5. A subset of rats was exercised (SCI+Ex) on automated running wheels for 20min, 5days/week starting at 5days post-injury (dpi), continuing until 9 or 37dpi. Hargreaves' and von Frey testing was performed preoperatively and weekly post-SCI. Forty-two percent of rats in the unexercised group exhibited tactile allodynia of the forepaws while the other 58% retained normal sensation. The development of SCI-induced neuropathic pain correlated with a marked decrease in the levels of GDNF and artemin in the spinal cord and DRGs. Additionally, a dramatic increase in the density and the distribution throughout the dorsal horn of GFL-responsive afferents was observed in rats with SCI-induced allodynia. Importantly, in SCI rats that received Ex, the incidence of tactile allodynia decreased to 7% (1/17) and there was maintenance of GDNF and artemin at normal levels, with a normal distribution of GFL-responsive fibers. These data suggest that GFLs and/or their downstream effectors may be important modulators of pain fiber plasticity, representing effective targets for anti-allodynic therapeutics. Furthermore, we highlight the potent beneficial effects of acute exercise after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Ryan Detloff
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
| | - Evan J Smith
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Daniel Quiros Molina
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Patrick D Ganzer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - John D Houlé
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
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Houle JD, Côté MP. Axon regeneration and exercise-dependent plasticity after spinal cord injury. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1279:154-63. [PMID: 23531013 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Current dogma states that meaningful recovery of function after spinal cord injury (SCI) will likely require a combination of therapeutic interventions comprised of regenerative/neuroprotective transplants, addition of neurotrophic factors, elimination of inhibitory molecules, functional sensorimotor training, and/or stimulation of paralyzed muscles or spinal circuits. We routinely use (1) peripheral nerve grafts to support and direct axonal regeneration across an incomplete cervical or complete thoracic transection injury, (2) matrix modulation with chondroitinase (ChABC) to facilitate axonal extension beyond the distal graft-spinal cord interface, and (3) exercise, such as forced wheel walking, bicycling, or step training on a treadmill. We and others have demonstrated an increase in spinal cord levels of endogenous neurotrophic factors with exercise, which may be useful in facilitating elongation and/or synaptic activity of regenerating axons and plasticity of spinal neurons below the level of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Houle
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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Exogenous BDNF enhances the integration of chronically injured axons that regenerate through a peripheral nerve grafted into a chondroitinase-treated spinal cord injury site. Exp Neurol 2012; 239:91-100. [PMID: 23022460 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2012] [Revised: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although axons lose some of their intrinsic capacity for growth after their developmental period, some axons retain the potential for regrowth after injury. When provided with a growth-promoting substrate such as a peripheral nerve graft (PNG), severed axons regenerate into and through the graft; however, they stop when they reach the glial scar at the distal graft-host interface that is rich with inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. We previously showed that treatment of a spinal cord injury site with chondroitinase (ChABC) allows axons within the graft to traverse the scar and reinnervate spinal cord, where they form functional synapses. While this improvement in outgrowth was significant, it still represented only a small percentage (<20%) of axons compared to the total number of axons that regenerated into the PNG. Here we tested whether providing exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via lentivirus in tissue distal to the PNG would augment regeneration beyond a ChABC-treated glial interface. We found that ChABC treatment alone promoted axonal regeneration but combining ChABC with BDNF-lentivirus did not increase the number of axons that regenerated back into spinal cord. Combining BDNF with ChABC did increase the number of spinal cord neurons that were trans-synaptically activated during electrical stimulation of the graft, as indicated by c-Fos expression, suggesting that BDNF overexpression improved the functional significance of axons that did reinnervate distal spinal cord tissue.
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Extensive respiratory plasticity after cervical spinal cord injury in rats: Axonal sprouting and rerouting of ventrolateral bulbospinal pathways. Exp Neurol 2012; 236:88-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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22
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Keeler BE, Liu G, Siegfried RN, Zhukareva V, Murray M, Houlé JD. Acute and prolonged hindlimb exercise elicits different gene expression in motoneurons than sensory neurons after spinal cord injury. Brain Res 2011; 1438:8-21. [PMID: 22244304 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2011.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We examined gene expression in the lumbar spinal cord and the specific response of motoneurons, intermediate gray and proprioceptive sensory neurons after spinal cord injury and exercise of hindlimbs to identify potential molecular processes involved in activity dependent plasticity. Adult female rats received a low thoracic transection and passive cycling exercise for 1 or 4weeks. Gene expression analysis focused on the neurotrophic factors: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and their receptors because of their potential roles in neural plasticity. We also examined expression of genes involved in the cellular response to injury: heat shock proteins (HSP) -27 and -70, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and caspases -3, -7, and -9. In lumbar cord samples, injury increased the expression of mRNA for TrkB, all three caspases and the HSPs. Acute and prolonged exercise increased expression of mRNA for the neurotrophic factors BDNF and GDNF, but not their receptors. It also increased HSP expression and decreased caspase-7 expression, with changes in protein levels complimentary to these changes in mRNA expression. Motoneurons and intermediate gray displayed little change in mRNA expression following injury, but acute and prolonged exercise increased levels of mRNA for BDNF, GDNF and NT-4. In large DRG neurons, mRNA for neurotrophic factors and their receptors were largely unaffected by either injury or exercise. However, caspase mRNA expression was increased by injury and decreased by exercise. Our results demonstrate that exercise affects expression of genes involved in plasticity and apoptosis in a cell specific manner and that these change with increased post-injury intervals and/or prolonged periods of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin E Keeler
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Mortazavi MM, Verma K, Deep A, Esfahani FB, Pritchard PR, Tubbs RS, Theodore N. Chemical priming for spinal cord injury: a review of the literature part II-potential therapeutics. Childs Nerv Syst 2011; 27:1307-16. [PMID: 21174102 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-010-1365-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Accepted: 12/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal cord injury is a complex cascade of reactions secondary to the initial mechanical trauma that puts into action the innate properties of the injured cells, the circulatory, inflammatory, and chemical status around them, into a non-permissive and destructive environment for neuronal function and regeneration. Priming means putting a cell, in a state of "arousal" towards better function. Priming can be mechanical as trauma is known to enhance activity in cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to better understand the possible chemical primers used for spinal cord injuries. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, many studies have shown various promising results using the substances outlined herein for treating SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin M Mortazavi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AR, USA
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Conta Steencken AC, Smirnov I, Stelzner DJ. Cell survival or cell death: differential vulnerability of long descending and thoracic propriospinal neurons to low thoracic axotomy in the adult rat. Neuroscience 2011; 194:359-71. [PMID: 21645590 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies show that most short thoracic propriospinal (TPS; T5-T7) and long descending propriospinal tract (LDPT; C4-C6) neurons are lost following low-thoracic spinal cord contusion injury (cSCI), as assessed by retrograde labeling with fluorogold (FG). Gene microarray and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end (TUNEL)/caspase-3 immunolabeling indicate that post-axotomy cell death may be responsible for the observed decrease in number of labeled TPS neurons post cSCI. Yet, no indications of post-axotomy cell death are evident within LDPT neurons following the same injury. The present experiments were devised to understand this difference. We assessed the number and size of LDPT and TPS neurons at different time points, retrogradely labeling these neurons with FG prior to delivering a moderate low-thoracic cSCI or after they were axotomized by a complete low-thoracic spinal transection. Counts of FG-filled TPS and LDPT cells indicate a large loss of both neuronal populations 2 weeks post cSCI. Propriospinal neurons in other animals were retrogradely labeled with dextran tetramethyl rhodamine prior to cSCI and tissue was processed for detection of TUNEL- or caspase-3-positive profiles at chronic times post injury. Our overall findings confirm that cell death post injury is the major factor responsible for the loss of TPS neurons during the acute period post cSCI, and that little post-axotomy cell death occurs in LDPT neurons during the first 2 months after the same injury. After chronic axotomy retrograde transport is impaired in LDPT neurons, but can be reinitiated by re-axotomy. Our results also indicate that FG is metabolized/lost from retrogradely labeled neurons at increasing survival times, and that this process appears to be accelerated by injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Conta Steencken
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Graduate Studies, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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25
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Côté MP, Azzam GA, Lemay MA, Zhukareva V, Houlé JD. Activity-dependent increase in neurotrophic factors is associated with an enhanced modulation of spinal reflexes after spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2011; 28:299-309. [PMID: 21083432 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2010.1594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-based therapies such as passive bicycling and step-training on a treadmill contribute to motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), leading to a greater number of steps performed, improved gait kinematics, recovery of phase-dependent modulation of spinal reflexes, and prevention of decrease in muscle mass. Both tasks consist of alternating movements that rhythmically stretch and shorten hindlimb muscles. However, the paralyzed hindlimbs are passively moved by a motorized apparatus during bike-training, whereas locomotor movements during step-training are generated by spinal networks triggered by afferent feedback. Our objective was to compare the task-dependent effect of bike- and step-training after SCI on physiological measures of spinal cord plasticity in relation to changes in levels of neurotrophic factors. Thirty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent complete spinal transection at a low thoracic level (T12). The rats were assigned to one of three groups: bike-training, step-training, or no training. The exercise regimen consisted of 15 min/d, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks, beginning 5 days after SCI. During a terminal experiment, H-reflexes were recorded from interosseus foot muscles following stimulation of the tibial nerve at 0.3, 5, or 10 Hz. The animals were sacrificed and the spinal cords were harvested for Western blot analysis of the expression of neurotrophic factors in the lumbar spinal cord. We provide evidence that bike- and step-training significantly increase the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and NT-4 in the lumbar enlargement of SCI rats, whereas only step-training increased glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels. An increase in neurotrophic factor protein levels that positively correlated with the recovery of H-reflex frequency-dependent depression suggests a role for neurotrophic factors in reflex normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pascale Côté
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA
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26
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Hu R, Zhou J, Luo C, Lin J, Wang X, Li X, Bian X, Li Y, Wan Q, Yu Y, Feng H. Glial scar and neuroregeneration: histological, functional, and magnetic resonance imaging analysis in chronic spinal cord injury. J Neurosurg Spine 2010; 13:169-80. [DOI: 10.3171/2010.3.spine09190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Object
A glial scar is thought to be responsible for halting neuroregeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, little quantitative evidence has been provided to show the relationship of a glial scar and axonal regrowth after injury.
Methods
In this study performed in rats and dogs, a traumatic SCI model was made using a weight-drop injury device, and tissue sections were stained with H & E for immunohistochemical analysis. The function and behavior of model animals were tested using electrophysiological recording and the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale, respectively. The cavity in the spinal cord after SCI in dogs was observed using MR imaging.
Results
The morphological results showed that the formation of an astroglial scar was defined at 4 weeks after SCI. While regenerative axons reached the vicinity of the lesion site, the glial scar blocked the extension of regrown axons. In agreement with these findings, the electrophysiological, behavioral, and in vivo MR imaging tests showed that functional recovery reached a plateau at 4 weeks after SCI. The thickness of the glial scars in the injured rat spinal cords was also measured. The mean thickness of the glial scar rostral and caudal to the lesion cavity was 107.00 ± 20.12 μm; laterally it was 69.92 ± 15.12 μm.
Conclusions
These results provide comprehensive evidence indicating that the formation of a glial scar inhibits axonal regeneration at 4 weeks after SCI. This study reveals a critical time window of postinjury recovery and a detailed spatial orientation of glial scar, which would provide an important basis for the development of therapeutic strategy for glial scar ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Hu
- 1Department of Neurosurgery and
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoguang Li
- 2Beijing Center for Neural Regeneration and Repairing, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing
| | - Xiuwu Bian
- 3Institute of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing
| | - Yunqing Li
- 4Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; and
| | - Qi Wan
- 5Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
| | - Yanbing Yu
- 6Beijing Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing
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27
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Combining peripheral nerve grafts and chondroitinase promotes functional axonal regeneration in the chronically injured spinal cord. J Neurosci 2010; 29:14881-90. [PMID: 19940184 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3641-09.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Because there currently is no treatment for spinal cord injury, most patients are living with long-standing injuries. Therefore, strategies aimed at promoting restoration of function to the chronically injured spinal cord have high therapeutic value. For successful regeneration, long-injured axons must overcome their poor intrinsic growth potential as well as the inhibitory environment of the glial scar established around the lesion site. Acutely injured axons that regenerate into growth-permissive peripheral nerve grafts (PNGs) reenter host tissue to mediate functional recovery if the distal graft-host interface is treated with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to cleave inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the scar matrix. To determine whether a similar strategy is effective for a chronic injury, we combined grafting of a peripheral nerve into a highly relevant, chronic, cervical contusion site with ChABC treatment of the glial scar and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) stimulation of long-injured axons. We tested this combination in two grafting paradigms: (1) a peripheral nerve that was grafted to span a chronic injury site or (2) a PNG that bridged a chronic contusion site with a second, more distal injury site. Unlike GDNF-PBS treatment, GDNF-ChABC treatment facilitated axons to exit the PNG into host tissue and promoted some functional recovery. Electrical stimulation of axons in the peripheral nerve bridge induced c-Fos expression in host neurons, indicative of synaptic contact by regenerating fibers. Thus, our data demonstrate, for the first time, that administering ChABC to a distal graft interface allows for functional axonal regeneration by chronically injured neurons.
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28
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Ohishi M, Harada F, Rahman F, Saito I, Kawano Y, Nozawa-Inoue K, Maeda T. GDNF Expression in Terminal Schwann Cells Associated With the Periodontal Ruffini Endings of the Rat Incisors During Nerve Regeneration. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2009; 292:1185-91. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.20931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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29
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Wang L, Hu B, Wong WM, Lu P, Wu W, Xu XM. Glial and axonal responses in areas of Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal and dorsal ascending tracts after spinal cord dorsal funiculotomy. Neuropathology 2009; 29:230-41. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1789.2008.00969.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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30
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Chiaretti A, Rendeli C, Antonelli A, Barone G, Focarelli B, Tabacco F, Massimi L, Ausili E. GDNF plasma levels in spina bifida: correlation with severity of spinal damage and motor function. J Neurotrauma 2009; 25:1477-81. [PMID: 19125682 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2008.0638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is one of several powerful survival factors for spinal motoneurons that play a key role in sprouting, synaptic plasticity, and reorganization after spinal cord damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of GDNF in plasma of children with spina bifida (SB) and to determine its correlation with both the severity of spinal cord damage and the motor function of these patients. To measure the GDNF expression, we collected plasma samples from 152 children with SB and in 149 matched controls. Endogenous GDNF levels were quantified using a two-site immuno-enzymatic assay. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney two-tailed two-sample test. In children with SB the mean levels of GDNF (131.2 +/- 69.6 pg/mL) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) with respect to the mean levels of the control group (102.7 +/- 6.8 pg/mL). Moreover, in open SB, the GDNF levels (139.2 +/- 81.1 pg/mL) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) with respect to closed SB (117.2 +/- 41.3 pg/mL). In terms of the motor function of patients, we found that in children with poorer motor function, the GDNF levels (134.5 +/- 67.4 pg/mL) were higher, but not statistically significant (p < 0.1), than in patients with better motor outcome (122.3 +/- 72.2 pg/mL). Our study demonstrates GDNF over-expression in children with SB. This upregulation is significantly associated with the severity of spinal cord damage in SB patients and appears to correlate with poor motor function of children, representing an important biochemical marker of the severity of spine injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Chiaretti
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy.
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31
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Ding Y, Yan Q, Ruan JW, Zhang YQ, Li WJ, Zhang YJ, Li Y, Dong H, Zeng YS. Electro-acupuncture promotes survival, differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as well as functional recovery in the spinal cord-transected rats. BMC Neurosci 2009; 10:35. [PMID: 19374777 PMCID: PMC2679038 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-10-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the potential tools for treatment of the spinal cord injury; however, the survival and differentiation of MSCs in an injured spinal cord still need to be improved. In the present study, we investigated whether Governor Vessel electro-acupuncture (EA) could efficiently promote bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) survival and differentiation, axonal regeneration and finally, functional recovery in the transected spinal cord. Results The spinal cords of adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were completely transected at T10, five experimental groups were performed: 1. sham operated control (Sham-control); 2. operated control (Op-control); 3. electro-acupuncture treatment (EA); 4. MSCs transplantation (MSCs); and 5. MSCs transplantation combined with electro-acupuncture (MSCs+EA). After 2-8 weeks of MSCs transplantation plus EA treatment, we found that the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), cAMP level, the differentiation of MSCs, the 5-HT positive and CGRP positive nerve fibers in the lesion site and nearby tissue of injured spinal cord were significantly increased in the MSCs+EA group as compared to the group of the MSCs transplantation or the EA treated alone. Furthermore, behavioral test and spinal cord evoked potentials detection demonstrated a significantly functional recovery in the MSCs +EA group. Conclusion These results suggest that EA treatment may promote grafted MSCs survival and differentiation; MSCs transplantation combined with EA treatment could promote axonal regeneration and partial locomotor functional recovery in the transected spinal cord in rats and indicate a promising avenue of treatment of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ding
- Division of Neuroscience, Department of Histology and Embryology, Guangzhou, PR China.
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Mantilla CB, Sieck GC. Trophic factor expression in phrenic motor neurons. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2009; 164:252-62. [PMID: 18708170 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2008.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 07/16/2008] [Accepted: 07/21/2008] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The function of a motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates (i.e., a motor unit) determines neuromotor output. Unlike other skeletal muscles, respiratory muscles (e.g., the diaphragm, DIAm) must function from birth onwards in sustaining ventilation. DIAm motor units are capable of both ventilatory and non-ventilatory behaviors, including expulsive behaviors important for airway clearance. There is significant diversity in motor unit properties across different types of motor units in the DIAm. The mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of motor unit diversity in respiratory muscles (including the DIAm) are not well understood. Recent studies suggest that trophic factor influences contribute to this diversity. Remarkably little is known about the expression of trophic factors and their receptors in phrenic motor neurons. This review will focus on the contribution of trophic factors to the establishment and maintenance of motor unit diversity in the DIAm, during development and in response to injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos B Mantilla
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 4-184 W. Joseph SMH, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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33
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Zhou HL, Yang HJ, Li YM, Wang Y, Yan L, Guo XL, Ba YC, Liu S, Wang TH. Changes in Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the rostral and caudal stumps of the transected adult rat spinal cord. Neurochem Res 2008; 33:927-37. [PMID: 18095158 PMCID: PMC2270371 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-007-9536-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2007] [Accepted: 10/23/2007] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Limited information is available regarding the role of endogenous Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the spinal cord following transection injury. The present study investigated the possible role of GDNF in injured spinal cords following transection injury (T(9)-T(10)) in adult rats. The locomotor function recovery of animals by the BBB (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan) scale score showed that hindlimb support and stepping function increased gradually from 7 days post operation (dpo) to 21 dpo. However, the locomotion function in the hindlimbs decreased effectively in GDNF-antibody treated rats. GDNF immunoreactivty in neurons in the ventral horn of the rostral stump was stained strongly at 3 and 7 dpo, and in the caudal stump at 14 dpo, while immunostaining in astrocytes was also seen at all time-points after transection injury. Western blot showed that the level of GDNF protein underwent a rapid decrease at 7 dpo in both stumps, and was followed by a partial recovery at a later time-point, when compared with the sham-operated group. GDNF mRNA-positive signals were detected in neurons of the ventral horn, especially in lamina IX. No regenerative fibers from corticospinal tract can be seen in the caudal segment near the injury site using BDA tracing technique. No somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) could be recorded throughout the experimental period as well. These findings suggested that intrinsic GDNF in the spinal cord could play an essential role in neuroplasticity. The mechanism may be that GDNF is involved in the regulation of local circuitry in transected spinal cords of adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Li Zhou
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Hui-Juan Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Yong-Mei Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ying Wang
- Nursing Department, Weifang Medical College, Weifang, 261042 China
| | - Ling Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Xi-Liang Guo
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ying-Chun Ba
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Su Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ting-Hua Wang
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Neurobiology, College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
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Chou YH, Chao PL, Tsai MJ, Cheng HH, Chen KB, Yang DM, Yang CH, Lin AMY. Arsenite-induced cytotoxicity in dorsal root ganglion explants. Free Radic Biol Med 2008; 44:1553-61. [PMID: 18226606 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2007.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2007] [Revised: 11/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is common in people chronically overexposed to arsenic. We studied sodium arsenite (arsenite)-induced cytotoxicity in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. Incubation with arsenite concentration- and time-dependently increased the expression of stress proteins, heat shock protein 70, and heme oxygenase-1 in DRG explants. Furthermore, apoptosis was involved in the arsenite-induced cytotoxicity in the treated DRG. Elevation in cytosolic cytochrome c levels and reduction in procaspase 3 levels suggested an involvement of the mitochondrial pathway in arsenite-induced apoptosis in this preparation. At the same time, increases in the activating transcription factor-4 and C/EBP homologous protein and reduction in procaspase 12 levels indicated activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathway in the arsenite-induced cytotoxicity in DRG explants. Salubrinal (30 microM), an ER inhibitor, was found to attenuate arsenite-induced DNA fragmentation and reduction in procaspase 12 in DRG explants. Cytotoxic effects by arsenite, sodium arsenate (arsenate), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were compared, and the potency was as follows: arsenite >>> arsenate>MMA and DMA. Recombinant adenovirus vectors encoding glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (AdGDNF) genes allowed a stable delivery of GDNF genes to the infected cells in DRG explants. Applied in this manner, AdGDNF was found to inhibit arsenite-induced DNA fragmentation in DRG explants. Moreover, AdGDNF attenuated the arsenite-induced reduction in procaspases 3 and 12 levels. Taken together, our study demonstrates that arsenite is capable of inducing cytotoxicity in DRG explants. Both ER and mitochondria pathways are involved in the arsenite-induced apoptosis in DRG explants. Glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor appears to be protective against arsenite-induced peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y H Chou
- Department of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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35
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Sandrow HR, Shumsky JS, Amin A, Houle JD. Aspiration of a cervical spinal contusion injury in preparation for delayed peripheral nerve grafting does not impair forelimb behavior or axon regeneration. Exp Neurol 2007; 210:489-500. [PMID: 18295206 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2007] [Revised: 11/21/2007] [Accepted: 11/26/2007] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
A peripheral nerve graft model was used to examine axonal growth after a unilateral cervical (C) contusion injury in adult rats and to determine if manipulation of an injury site prior to transplantation affects spontaneous behavioral recovery. After a short delay (7 d) the epicenter of a C4 contusion was exposed and aspirated without harming the cavity walls followed by apposition with one end of a pre-degenerated tibial nerve to the rostral cavity wall. After a longer delay (28 d) the aspirated cavity was treated with GDNF to promote regeneration by chronically injured neurons. In both groups forelimb and hindlimb locomotor scores decreased significantly 2 d after lesion site manipulation, but by 7 d, the forelimb score was not different from the pre-manipulation score. There was no significant difference in grid walking or grip strength scores for the affected forelimb in either group 7 d after contusion vs. 7 d after manipulation. Over 1500 brain stem and propriospinal neurons grew axons into the graft with either delay. These results demonstrate that a contusion injury site can be manipulated prior to transplantation without causing long-lasting forelimb or hindlimb behavioral deficits and that peripheral nerve grafts support axonal growth after acute or chronic contusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harra R Sandrow
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
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Ma J, Tian WM, Hou SP, Xu QY, Spector M, Cui FZ. An experimental test of stroke recovery by implanting a hyaluronic acid hydrogel carrying a Nogo receptor antibody in a rat model. Biomed Mater 2007; 2:233-40. [DOI: 10.1088/1748-6041/2/4/005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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37
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Mills CD, Allchorne AJ, Griffin RS, Woolf CJ, Costigan M. GDNF selectively promotes regeneration of injury-primed sensory neurons in the lesioned spinal cord. Mol Cell Neurosci 2007; 36:185-94. [PMID: 17702601 PMCID: PMC2034440 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2007] [Revised: 06/15/2007] [Accepted: 06/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal regeneration within the CNS fails due to the growth inhibitory environment and the limited intrinsic growth capacity of injured neurons. Injury to DRG peripheral axons induces expression of growth associated genes including members of the glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling pathway and "preconditions" the injured cells into an active growth state, enhancing growth of their centrally projecting axons. Here, we show that preconditioning DRG neurons prior to culturing increased neurite outgrowth, which was further enhanced by GDNF in a bell-shaped growth response curve. In vivo, GDNF delivered directly to DRG cell bodies facilitated the preconditioning effect, further enhancing axonal regeneration beyond spinal cord lesions. Consistent with the in vitro results, the in vivo effect was seen only at low GDNF concentrations. We conclude that peripheral nerve injury upregulates GDNF signaling pathway components and that exogenous GDNF treatment selectively promotes axonal growth of injury-primed sensory neurons in a concentration-dependent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles D Mills
- Neural Plasticity Research Group, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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Gotohda T, Tokunaga I, Kitamura O, Kubo SI. Toluene inhalation induced neuronal damage in the spinal cord and changes of neurotrophic factors in rat. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2007; 9:123-7. [PMID: 17197224 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2006.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2006] [Revised: 11/14/2006] [Accepted: 11/16/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of toluene inhalation on neurons and neurotrophic factors in the spinal cord and the relationship between them. Male Wistar rats were exposed to toluene (1500ppm for 4h per day) for 7 days. To observe damage of the neurons in spinal cord with the toluene, expression of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) and 70kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in spinal cord were performed by immunohistochemistry. MAP2 was degraded and HSP70-immunoreactivity was enhanced in nerve cell bodies of the gray matter in toluene inhalation group. Immunoreactivity of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocytes, was enhanced in the toluene-treated group. Furthermore, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)- and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-immunoreactivity in spinal cord were slightly decreased in the treated group. In addition, the concentrations of GDNF and BDNF in the spinal cord were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Concentration of GDNF was reduced significantly by toluene exposure. BDNF also reduced, but not significantly. The toluene inhalation caused the damage of the neuron in the spinal cord, which was accompanied by the decrease in the neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF and GDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Gotohda
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
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Lu P, Jones LL, Tuszynski MH. Axon regeneration through scars and into sites of chronic spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2006; 203:8-21. [PMID: 17014846 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2006] [Revised: 07/20/2006] [Accepted: 07/21/2006] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cellular and extracellular inhibitors are thought to restrict axon growth after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), confronting the axon with a combination of chronic astrocytosis and extracellular matrix-associated inhibitors that collectively constitute the chronic "scar." To examine whether the chronically injured environment is strongly inhibitory to axonal regeneration, we grafted permissive autologous bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) into mid-cervical SCI sites of adult rats, 6 weeks post-injury without resection of the "chronic scar." Additional subjects received MSCs genetically modified to express neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), providing a further local stimulus to axon growth. Anatomical analysis 3 months post-injury revealed extensive astrocytosis surrounding the lesion site, together with dense deposition of the inhibitory extracellular matrix molecule NG2. Despite this inhibitory environment, axons penetrated the lesion site through the chronic scar. Robust axonal regeneration occurred into chronic lesion cavities expressing NT-3. Notably, chronically regenerating axons preferentially associated with Schwann cell surfaces expressing both inhibitory NG2 substrates and the permissive substrates L1 and NCAM in the lesion site. Collectively, these findings indicate that inhibitory factors deposited at sites of chronic SCI do not create impenetrable boundaries and that inhibition can be balanced by local and diffusible signals to generate robust axonal growth even without resecting chronic scar tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lu
- Department of Neurosciences-0626, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Zhou LH, Wu W. Survival of Injured Spinal Motoneurons in Adult Rat upon Treatment with Glial Cell Line–Derived Neurotrophic Factor at 2 Weeks but Not at 4 Weeks after Root Avulsion. J Neurotrauma 2006; 23:920-7. [PMID: 16774476 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2006.23.920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We conducted a study of whether treatment with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) initiated at 2 or 4 weeks after spinal-root avulsion could promote survival and regulate neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in adult rat spinal motoneurons. By 6 weeks after root avulsion, the treatment given at 2 weeks not only increased motoneuron survival (86.1% vs. 27.9%), but also reversed the atrophy of injured motoneurons and increased their somatic size (101.3% vs. 52.9%) in comparison to the untreated control group of animals. All surviving motoneurons in the GDNF-treated group showed immunoreactivity for choline acetyltransferase. In contrast, GDNF treatment at 4 weeks post-injury failed to promote motoneuron survival (33.1% vs. 27.9%) at 6 weeks compared to the control group. Both the 2- and 4-week post-injury treatments downregulated nNOS expression. This finding suggests that injured adult motoneurons die shortly (a few weeks in the rat) after root avulsion injury, but can be saved from degeneration by treatment within the proper time frame after injury, which in the case of GDNF treatment in rats, appears to be within 2 weeks of the avulsion injury of the spinal root. These findings provide useful information for choosing the best time frame for the potential clinical treatment of brachial plexus avulsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Zhou
- Department of Anatomy, Zhong Shan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
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Steward O, Sharp K, Selvan G, Hadden A, Hofstadter M, Au E, Roskams J. A re-assessment of the consequences of delayed transplantation of olfactory lamina propria following complete spinal cord transection in rats. Exp Neurol 2006; 198:483-99. [PMID: 16494866 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2005.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2005] [Revised: 11/30/2005] [Accepted: 12/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study is part of the NIH "Facilities of Research-Spinal Cord Injury" contract to support independent replication of published studies. We repeated a study reporting that delayed transplantation of olfactory lamina propria (OLP) into the site of a complete spinal cord transection led to significant improvement in hindlimb motor function and induced axon regeneration. Adult female rats received complete spinal cord transections at T10. Thirty days post-injury, pieces of OLP, which contains olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), or respiratory lamina propria (RLP), which should not contain OECs, were placed into the transection site. Hindlimb motor function was tested using the BBB scale from day 1 post-injury through 10 weeks following transplantation. To assess axonal regeneration across the transection site, Fluorogold was injected into the distal segment, and the distribution of 5HT-containing axons was assessed using immunostaining. BBB analyses revealed no significant recovery after OLP transplantation and no significant differences between OLP vs. RLP transplant groups. Fluorogold injections into caudal segments did not lead to retrograde labeling in any animals. Immunostaining for 5HT revealed that a few 5HT-labeled axons extended into both RLP and OLP transplants and a few 5HT-labeled axons were present in sections caudal to the injury in 2 animals that received OLP transplants and 1 animal that received RLP transplants. Our results indicate that, although OLP transplants may stimulate regeneration under some circumstances, the effect is not so robust as to reliably overcome the hostile setting created by a complete transection paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oswald Steward
- Reeve-Irvine Research Center, University of California at Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 1105 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, Irvine, CA 92697-4292, USA.
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Hou S, Tian W, Xu Q, Cui F, Zhang J, Lu Q, Zhao C. The enhancement of cell adherence and inducement of neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia co-cultured with hyaluronic acid hydrogels modified with Nogo-66 receptor antagonist in vitro. Neuroscience 2006; 137:519-29. [PMID: 16298084 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2005] [Revised: 09/11/2005] [Accepted: 09/17/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid hydrogels modified with polyclonal anti-Nogo-66 receptor antibody were developed in order to promote regeneration in the injured CNS. These modified hydrogels were intended not only to deliver antibodies, but also to serve as a scaffold for neural regeneration following their implantation into injured tissue. Since unmodified hyaluronic acid-hydrogels do not support cell attachment, the gels were modified with polyclonal anti-Nogo-66 receptor with the aim of altering the surface properties of the gels in such a way as to improve neuronal adherence and survival. After evaluating the immobilization efficiency of the system, chicken dorsal root ganglia and dorsal root ganglia cells were planted on the surface of the modified gels to determine cell viability. Dorsal root ganglia were also cultured close to the gels in order to assay the inducement of neurite outgrowth. In dorsal root ganglia and cell viability assay, dorsal root ganglia and neuron cells could adhere to the modified hydrogels and survive well, but it did not happen to unmodified hydrogels. After 72 h, these attached cells were stained positively with immuno-staining for neurofilament. Neurite outgrowth inducement assay showed that the number and length of dorsal root ganglia neurites on the side toward modified hydrogels were significantly more than that on the opposite side (both P<0.01). The results reveal that hyaluronic acid-hydrogels modified with anti-Nogo-66 receptor can support neural cell attachment and survival in vitro. Furthermore, this system can greatly induce neurite outgrowth. The results also indicate that this modified hydrogels have potential to repair injury in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hou
- Beijing Institute for Neuroscience, Capital University of Medical Sciences, You An Men 10, Beijing 100054, PR China
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Deumens R, Koopmans GC, Joosten EAJ. Regeneration of descending axon tracts after spinal cord injury. Prog Neurobiol 2005; 77:57-89. [PMID: 16271433 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2005] [Revised: 08/23/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Axons within the adult mammalian central nervous system do not regenerate spontaneously after injury. Upon injury, the balance between growth promoting and growth inhibitory factors in the central nervous system dramatically changes resulting in the absence of regeneration. Axonal responses to injury vary considerably. In central nervous system regeneration studies, the spinal cord has received a lot of attention because of its relatively easy accessibility and its clinical relevance. The present review discusses the axon-tract-specific requirements for regeneration in the rat. This knowledge is very important for the development and optimalization of therapies to repair the injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Deumens
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Division Neuroscience, European Graduate School of Neuroscience EURON, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Vinit S, Boulenguez P, Efthimiadi L, Stamegna JC, Gauthier P, Kastner A. Axotomized bulbospinal neurons express c-Jun after cervical spinal cord injury. Neuroreport 2005; 16:1535-9. [PMID: 16148740 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000179075.32035.0f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In several central nervous system neuronal populations, axotomy triggers the upregulation of regeneration-associated genes such as c-Jun, which determines neurons ability to regenerate axon in a growth-permissive environment. We analyzed the expression of c-Jun in rat ventral medullary neurons after cervical hemisection in order to investigate their intrinsic regenerative potential. Maximal expression of c-Jun was observed 7 days after injury mainly in axotomized medullary neurons located in the gigantocellularis nucleus, the raphe nucleus and, although less intensively, in the rostral ventral respiratory group. This suggests that after high cervical injury, a large number of medullary neurons projecting to the spinal cord become competent for axonal regeneration, although this regenerating potential may not be equivalent between the various neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Vinit
- Laboratoire de Physiologie Neurovégétative, Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III, Marseille, France.
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Pearse DD, Lo TP, Cho KS, Lynch MP, Garg MS, Marcillo AE, Sanchez AR, Cruz Y, Dietrich WD. Histopathological and Behavioral Characterization of a Novel Cervical Spinal Cord Displacement Contusion Injury in the Rat. J Neurotrauma 2005; 22:680-702. [PMID: 15941377 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2005.22.680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical contusive trauma accounts for the majority, of human spinal cord injury (SCI), yet experimental use of cervical contusion injury models has been limited. Considering that (1) the different ways of injuring the spinal cord (compression, contusion, and transection) induce very different processes of tissue damage and (2) the architecture of the spinal cord is not uniform, it is important to use a model that is more clinically applicable to human SCI. Therefore, in the current study we have developed a rat model of contusive, cervical SCI using the Electromagnetic Spinal Cord Injury Device (ESCID) developed at Ohio State University (OSU) to induce injury by spinal cord displacement. We used the device to perform mild, moderate and severe injuries (0.80, 0.95, and 1.1 mm displacements, respectively) with a single, brief displacement of <20 msec upon the exposed dorsal surface of the C5 cervical spinal cord of female (180-200 g) Fischer rats. Characterization of the model involved the analysis of the temporal histopathological progression of the injury over 9 weeks using histochemical stains to analyze white and gray mater integrity and immunohistochemistry to examine cellular changes and physiological responses within the injured spinal cord. Accompanying the histological analysis was a comprehensive determination of the behavioral functionality of the animals using a battery of motor tests. Characterization of this novel model is presented to enable and encourage its future use in the design and experimental testing of therapeutic strategies that may be used for human SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Pearse
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Neurological Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
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