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Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Allen LL, Seven YB, Ciesla MC, Holland AE, Santiago JV, Mitchell GS. Prolonged intermittent hypoxia differentially regulates phrenic motor neuron serotonin receptor expression in rats following chronic cervical spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2024; 378:114808. [PMID: 38750949 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114808] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Low-dose (< 2 h/day), acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) elicits multiple forms of serotonin-dependent phrenic motor plasticity and is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy to restore respiratory and non-respiratory motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). In contrast, high-dose (> 8 h/day), chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) undermines some forms of serotonin-dependent phrenic motor plasticity and elicits pathology. CIH is a hallmark of sleep disordered breathing, which is highly prevalent in individuals with cervical SCI. Interestingly, AIH and CIH preconditioning differentially impact phrenic motor plasticity. Although mechanisms of AIH-induced plasticity in the phrenic motor system are well-described in naïve rats, we know little concerning how these mechanisms are affected by chronic SCI or intermittent hypoxia preconditioning. Thus, in a rat model of chronic, incomplete cervical SCI (lateral spinal hemisection at C2 (C2Hx), we assessed serotonin type 2A, 2B and 7 receptor expression in and near phrenic motor neurons and compared: 1) intact vs. chronically injured rats; and 2) the impact of preconditioning with varied "doses" of intermittent hypoxia (IH). While there were no effects of chronic injury or intermittent hypoxia alone, CIH affected multiple receptors in rats with chronic C2Hx. Specifically, CIH preconditioning (8 h/day; 28 days) increased serotonin 2A and 7 receptor expression exclusively in rats with chronic C2Hx. Understanding the complex, context-specific interactions between chronic SCI and CIH and how this ultimately impacts phrenic motor plasticity is important as we leverage AIH-induced motor plasticity to restore breathing and other non-respiratory motor functions in people with chronic SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Latoya L Allen
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yasin B Seven
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Marissa C Ciesla
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ashley E Holland
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Juliet V Santiago
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Gordon S Mitchell
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Chen RY, Chang HS, Huang HC, Hsueh YH, Tu YK, Lee KZ. Comorbidity of cardiorespiratory and locomotor dysfunction following cervical spinal cord injury in the rat. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:1268-1283. [PMID: 37855033 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00473.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury interrupts supraspinal pathways innervating thoracic sympathetic preganglionic neurons and results in cardiovascular dysfunction. Both respiratory and locomotor functions were also impaired due to damages of motoneuron pools controlling respiratory and forelimb muscles, respectively. However, no study has investigated autonomic and somatic motor functions in the same animal model. The present study aimed to establish a cervical spinal cord injury model to evaluate cardiorespiratory response and locomotor activity in unanesthetized rats. Cardiovascular response and respiratory behavior following laminectomy or cervical spinal contusion were measured using noninvasive blood pressure analyzer and plethysmography systems, respectively. Locomotor activity was evaluated by an open-field test and a locomotor rating scale. The results demonstrated that mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in contused rats compared with uninjured rats at the acute injured stage. Tidal volume was also significantly reduced during the acute and subchronic stages. Moreover, locomotor function was severely impaired, evidenced by decreasing moving ability and locomotor rating scores from the acute to chronic injured stages. Retrograde neurotracer results revealed that cervical spinal cord injury caused a reduction in number of phrenic and triceps motoneurons. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a significant attenuation of serotonergic, noradrenergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic fibers innervating the thoracic sympathetic preganglionic neurons in chronically contused rats. These results revealed the pathological mechanism underlying the comorbidity of cardiorespiratory and locomotor dysfunction following cervical spinal cord injury. We proposed that this animal model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of potential strategies to improve different physiological functions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study establishes a preclinical rodent model to comprehensively investigate physiological functions under unanesthetized condition following cervical spinal cord contusion. The results demonstrated that cervical spinal cord contusion is associated with impairments in cardiovascular, respiratory, and locomotor function. Respiratory and forelimb motoneurons and neurochemical innervations of sympathetic preganglionic neurons were damaged following injury. This animal model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of potential strategies to improve different physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Yi Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Sen Chang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Chang Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Huan Hsueh
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Kun Tu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, E-Da Hospital/I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Ze Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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3
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Seven YB, Allen LL, Ciesla MC, Smith KN, Zwick A, Simon AK, Holland AE, Santiago JV, Stefan K, Ross A, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Mitchell GS. Intermittent Hypoxia Differentially Regulates Adenosine Receptors in Phrenic Motor Neurons with Spinal Cord Injury. Neuroscience 2022; 506:38-50. [PMID: 36273657 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) impairs neural drive to the respiratory muscles, causing life- threatening complications such as respiratory insufficiency and diminished airway protection. Repetitive "low dose" acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) is a promising strategy to restore motor function in people with chronic SCI. Conversely, "high dose" chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH; ∼8 h/night), such as experienced during sleep apnea, causes pathology. Sleep apnea, spinal ischemia, hypoxia and neuroinflammation associated with cSCI increase extracellular adenosine concentrations and activate spinal adenosine receptors which in turn constrains the functional benefits of therapeutic AIH. Adenosine 1 and 2A receptors (A1, A2A) compete to determine net cAMP signaling and likely the tAIH efficacy with chronic cSCI. Since cSCI and intermittent hypoxia may regulate adenosine receptor expression in phrenic motor neurons, we tested the hypotheses that: 1) daily AIH (28 days) downregulates A2A and upregulates A1 receptor expression; 2) CIH (28 days) upregulates A2A and downregulates A1 receptor expression; and 3) cSCI alters the impact of CIH on adenosine receptor expression. Daily AIH had no effect on either adenosine receptor in intact or injured rats. However, CIH exerted complex effects depending on injury status. Whereas CIH increased A1 receptor expression in intact (not injured) rats, it increased A2A receptor expression in spinally injured (not intact) rats. The differential impact of CIH reinforces the concept that the injured spinal cord behaves in distinct ways from intact spinal cords, and that these differences should be considered in the design of experiments and/or new treatments for chronic cSCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasin B Seven
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Latoya L Allen
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Marissa C Ciesla
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kristin N Smith
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Amanda Zwick
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Alec K Simon
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ashley E Holland
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Juliet V Santiago
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Kelsey Stefan
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ashley Ross
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Elisa J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Gordon S Mitchell
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Huang Y, Zhang Y, He Z, Manyande A, Wu D, Feng M, Xiang H. The connectome from the cerebral cortex to skeletal muscle using viral transneuronal tracers: a review. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:4864-4879. [PMID: 35958450 PMCID: PMC9360884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Connectomics has developed from an initial observation under an electron microscope to the present well-known medical imaging research approach. The emergence of the most popular transneuronal tracers has further advanced connectomics research. Researchers use the virus trans-nerve tracing method to trace the whole brain, mark the brain nerve circuit and nerve connection structure, and construct a complete nerve conduction pathway. This review assesses current methods of studying cortical to muscle connections using viral neuronal tracers and demonstrates their application in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, Hubei, P. R. China
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian 116000, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Yunhua Zhang
- Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineWuhan 430061, Hubei, P. R. China
- Clinical Medical College of Hubei University of Chinese MedicineWuhan 430061, Hubei, P. R. China
- Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese MedicineWuhan 430061, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - Zhigang He
- Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - Anne Manyande
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West LondonLondon, UK
| | - Duozhi Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hainan General HospitalHaikou 570311, Hainan, P. R. China
| | - Maohui Feng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wuhan Peritoneal Cancer Clinical Medical Research Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors and Hubei Cancer Clinical Study CenterWuhan 430071, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - Hongbing Xiang
- Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, Hubei, P. R. China
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Pardieck J, Harb M, Sakiyama-Elbert SE. A transgenic mouse embryonic stem cell line for puromycin selection of V0 V interneurons from heterogenous induced cultures. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:131. [PMID: 35346349 PMCID: PMC8962475 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02801-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal interneurons (INs) relay sensory and motor control information between the brain and body. When this relay circuitry is disrupted from injury or disease, it is devastating to patients due to the lack of native recovery in central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Obtaining a purified population of INs is necessary to better understand their role in normal function and as potential therapies in CNS. The ventral V0 (V0V) INs are excitatory neurons involved in locomotor circuits and are thus of interest for understanding normal and pathological spinal cord function. To achieve scalable amounts of V0V INs, they can be derived from pluripotent sources, such as mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), but the resultant culture is heterogenous, obscuring the specific role of V0V INs. This study generated a transgenic mESC line to enrich V0V INs from induced cultures to allow for a scalable, enriched population for future in vitro and in vivo studies. METHODS The transgenic Evx1-PAC mESC line was created by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated insertion of puromycin-N-acetyltransferase (PAC) into the locus of V0V IN marker Evx1. Evx1 and PAC mRNA expression were measured by qPCR. Viability staining helped establish the selection protocol for V0V INs derived from Evx1-PAC mESCs inductions. Immunostaining was used to examine composition of selected inductions. Cultures were maintained up to 30 days to examine maturation by expression of mature/synaptic markers, determined by immunostaining, and functional activity in co-cultures with selected motor neurons (MNs) and V2a INs on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). RESULTS V0V IN inductions were best selected with 4 µg/mL puromycin on day 10 to 11 and showed reduction of other IN populations and elimination of proliferative cells. Long-term selected cultures were highly neuronal, expressing neuronal nuclear marker NeuN, dendritic marker MAP2, pre-synaptic marker Bassoon, and glutamatergic marker VGLUT2, with some cholinergic VAChT-expressing cells. Functional studies on MEAs showed that co-cultures with MNs or MNs plus V2a INs created neuronal networks with synchronized bursting. CONCLUSIONS Evx1-PAC mESCs can be used to purify V0V IN cultures for largely glutamatergic neurons that can be used in network formation studies or for rodent models requiring transplanted V0V INs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Pardieck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712-1139 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Manwal Harb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712-1139 USA
| | - Shelly E. Sakiyama-Elbert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712-1139 USA
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Le Ray D, Guayasamin M. How Does the Central Nervous System for Posture and Locomotion Cope With Damage-Induced Neural Asymmetry? Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:828532. [PMID: 35308565 PMCID: PMC8927091 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.828532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In most vertebrates, posture and locomotion are achieved by a biomechanical apparatus whose effectors are symmetrically positioned around the main body axis. Logically, motor commands to these effectors are intrinsically adapted to such anatomical symmetry, and the underlying sensory-motor neural networks are correspondingly arranged during central nervous system (CNS) development. However, many developmental and/or life accidents may alter such neural organization and acutely generate asymmetries in motor operation that are often at least partially compensated for over time. First, we briefly present the basic sensory-motor organization of posturo-locomotor networks in vertebrates. Next, we review some aspects of neural plasticity that is implemented in response to unilateral central injury or asymmetrical sensory deprivation in order to substantially restore symmetry in the control of posturo-locomotor functions. Data are finally discussed in the context of CNS structure-function relationship.
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7
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Daily acute intermittent hypoxia enhances serotonergic innervation of hypoglossal motor nuclei in rats with and without cervical spinal injury. Exp Neurol 2022; 347:113903. [PMID: 34699788 PMCID: PMC8848979 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Intermittent hypoxia elicits protocol-dependent effects on hypoglossal (XII) motor plasticity. Whereas low-dose, acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) elicits serotonin-dependent plasticity in XII motor neurons, high-dose, chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) elicits neuroinflammation that undermines AIH-induced plasticity. Preconditioning with repeated AIH and mild CIH enhance AIH-induced XII motor plasticity. Since intermittent hypoxia pre-conditioning could enhance serotonin-dependent XII motor plasticity by increasing serotonergic innervation density of the XII motor nuclei, we tested the hypothesis that 3 distinct intermittent hypoxia protocols commonly studied to elicit plasticity (AIH) or simulate aspects of sleep apnea (CIH) differentially affect XII serotonergic innervation. Sleep apnea and associated CIH are common in people with cervical spinal injuries and, since repetitive AIH is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy to improve respiratory and non-respiratory motor function after spinal injury, we also tested the hypotheses that XII serotonergic innervation is increased by repetitive AIH and/or CIH in rats with cervical C2 hemisections (C2Hx). Serotonergic innervation was assessed via immunofluorescence in male Sprague Dawley rats, with and without C2Hx (beginning 8 weeks post-injury) exposed to 28 days of: 1) normoxia; 2) daily AIH (10, 5-min 10.5% O2 episodes per day; 5-min normoxic intervals); 3) mild CIH (5-min 10.5% O2 episodes; 5-min intervals; 8 h/day); and 4) moderate CIH (2-min 10.5% O2 episodes; 2-min intervals; 8 h/day). Daily AIH, but neither CIH protocol, increased the area of serotonergic immunolabeling in the XII motor nuclei in both intact and injured rats. C2Hx per se had no effect on XII serotonergic innervation density. Thus, daily AIH may increases XII serotonergic innervation and function, enhancing the capacity for serotonin-dependent, AIH-induced plasticity in upper airway motor neurons. Such effects may preserve upper airway patency and/or swallowing ability in people with cervical spinal cord injuries and other clinical disorders that compromise breathing and airway defense.
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Fortino TA, Randelman ML, Hall AA, Singh J, Bloom DC, Engel E, Hoh DJ, Hou S, Zholudeva LV, Lane MA. Transneuronal tracing to map connectivity in injured and transplanted spinal networks. Exp Neurol 2022; 351:113990. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.113990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Lucas-Osma AM, Schmidt EKA, Vavrek R, Bennett DJ, Fouad K, Fenrich KK. Rehabilitative training improves skilled forelimb motor function after cervical unilateral contusion spinal cord injury in rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 422:113731. [PMID: 34979221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) have frequently utilized partial transection injuries to evaluate plasticity promoting treatments such as rehabilitation training of skilled reaching and grasping tasks. Though highly useful for studying the effects of cutting specific spinal tracts that are important for skilled forelimb motor function, cervical partial-transection SCI-models underappreciate the extensive spread of most human SCIs, thus offering poor predictability for the clinical setting. Conversely, moderate cervical contusion SCI models targeting the spinal tracts important for skilled reaching and grasping can better replicate the increased size of most human SCIs and are often considered more clinically relevant. However, it is unknown whether animals with moderate cervical contusion SCIs that damage key spinal motor tracts can train in skilled reaching and grasping tasks. In this study, we quantify the impact of injury size and distribution on recovery in a skilled motor task called the single pellet reaching, grasping and retrieval (SPRGR) task in rats with cervical unilateral contusion injuries (UCs), and compare to rats with a partial transection SCIs (i.e., dorsolateral quadrant transection; DLQ). We found that UCs damage key tracts important for performing skilled motor tasks, similar to DLQs, but UCs also produce more extensive grey matter damage and more ventral white matter damage than DLQs. We also compared forelimb functionality at 1, 3, and 5 weeks of rehabilitative motor training between trained and untrained rats and found a more severe drop in SPRGR performance than in DLQ SCIs. Nevertheless, despite more severe injuries and initially low SPRGR performance, rehabilitative training for contusion animals resulted in significant improvements in SPRGR performance and proportionally more recovery than DLQ rats. Our findings show that rehabilitative motor training can facilitate considerable amounts of motor recovery despite extensive spinal cord damage, especially grey matter damage, thus supporting the use of contusion or compression SCI models and showing that ventral grey and white matter damage are not necessarily detrimental to recovery after training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Lucas-Osma
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Emma K A Schmidt
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Romana Vavrek
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David J Bennett
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Karim Fouad
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Keith K Fenrich
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Chiu TT, Lee KZ. Impact of cervical spinal cord injury on the relationship between the metabolism and ventilation in rats. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:1799-1814. [PMID: 34647826 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00472.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury typically results in respiratory impairments. Clinical and animal studies have demonstrated that respiratory function can spontaneously and partially recover over time after injury. However, it remains unclear whether respiratory recovery is associated with alterations in metabolism. The present study was designed to comprehensively examine ventilation and metabolism in a rat model of spinal cord injury. Adult male rats received sham (i.e., laminectomy) or unilateral mid-cervical contusion injury (height of impact rod: 6.25 or 12.5 mm). Breathing patterns and whole body metabolism (O2 consumption and CO2 production) were measured using a whole body plethysmography system conjugated with flow controllers and gas analyzer at the acute (1 day postinjury), subchronic (2 wk postinjury), and chronic (8 wk postinjury) injury stages. The results demonstrated that mid-cervical contusion caused a significant reduction in the tidal volume. Although the tidal volume of contused animals can gradually recover, it remains lower than that of uninjured animals at the chronic injury stage. Although O2 consumption and CO2 production were similar between uninjured and contused animals at the acute injury stage, these two metabolic parameters were significantly reduced in contused animals at the subchronic to chronic injury stages. Additionally, the relationships between ventilation, metabolism, and body temperature were altered by cervical spinal cord injury. These results suggest that cervical spinal cord injury causes a complicated reconfiguration of ventilation and metabolism that may enable injured animals to maintain a suitable homeostasis for adapting to the pathophysiological consequences of injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ventilation and metabolism are tightly coupled to maintain appropriate energy expenditure under physiological conditions. Our findings demonstrate that cervical spinal cord injury results in the differential reduction of ventilation and metabolism at the various injury stages and leads to alterations in the relationship between ventilation and metabolism. These results from an animal model provide fundamental knowledge for understanding how cervical spinal cord injury impacts energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ting Chiu
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Ze Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Allen LL, Nichols NL, Asa ZA, Emery AT, Ciesla MC, Santiago JV, Holland AE, Mitchell GS, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ. Phrenic motor neuron survival below cervical spinal cord hemisection. Exp Neurol 2021; 346:113832. [PMID: 34363808 PMCID: PMC9065093 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) severs bulbospinal projections to respiratory motor neurons, paralyzing respiratory muscles below the injury. C2 spinal hemisection (C2Hx) is a model of cSCI often used to study spontaneous and induced plasticity and breathing recovery post-injury. One key assumption is that C2Hx dennervates motor neurons below the injury, but does not affect their survival. However, a recent study reported substantial bilateral motor neuron death caudal to C2Hx. Since phrenic motor neuron (PMN) death following C2Hx would have profound implications for therapeutic strategies designed to target spared neural circuits, we tested the hypothesis that C2Hx minimally impacts PMN survival. Using improved retrograde tracing methods, we observed no loss of PMNs at 2- or 8-weeks post-C2Hx. We also observed no injury-related differences in ChAT or NeuN immunolabeling within labelled PMNs. Although we found no evidence of PMN loss following C2Hx, we cannot rule out neuronal loss in other motor pools. These findings address an essential prerequisite for studies that utilize C2Hx as a model to explore strategies for inducing plasticity and/or regeneration within the phrenic motor system, as they provide important insights into the viability of phrenic motor neurons as therapeutic targets after high cervical injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latoya L Allen
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nicole L Nichols
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zachary A Asa
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | | | - Marissa C Ciesla
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Juliet V Santiago
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashley E Holland
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Gordon S Mitchell
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Elisa J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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12
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Ciesla MC, Seven YB, Allen LL, Smith KN, Asa ZA, Simon AK, Holland AE, Santiago JV, Stefan K, Ross A, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Mitchell GS. Serotonergic innervation of respiratory motor nuclei after cervical spinal injury: Impact of intermittent hypoxia. Exp Neurol 2021; 338:113609. [PMID: 33460645 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) disrupts bulbo-spinal serotonergic projections, partial recovery of spinal serotonergic innervation below the injury site is observed after incomplete cSCI. Since serotonin contributes to functional recovery post-injury, treatments to restore or accelerate serotonergic reinnervation are of considerable interest. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) was reported to increase serotonin innervation near respiratory motor neurons in spinal intact rats, and to improve function after cSCI. Here, we tested the hypotheses that spontaneous serotonergic reinnervation of key respiratory (phrenic and intercostal) motor nuclei: 1) is partially restored 12 weeks post C2 hemisection (C2Hx); 2) is enhanced by IH; and 3) results from sprouting of spared crossed-spinal serotonergic projections below the site of injury. Serotonin was assessed via immunofluorescence in male Sprague Dawley rats with and without C2Hx (12 wks post-injury); individual groups were exposed to 28 days of: 1) normoxia; 2) daily acute IH (dAIH28: 10, 5 min 10.5% O2 episodes per day; 5 min normoxic intervals); 3) mild chronic IH (IH28-5/5: 5 min 10.5% O2 episodes; 5 min intervals; 8 h/day); or 4) moderate chronic IH (IH28-2/2: 2 min 10.5% O2 episodes; 2 min intervals; 8 h/day), simulating IH experienced during moderate sleep apnea. After C2Hx, the number of ipsilateral serotonergic structures was decreased in both motor nuclei, regardless of IH protocol. However, serotonergic structures were larger after C2Hx in both motor nuclei, and total serotonin immunolabeling area was increased in the phrenic motor nucleus but reduced in the intercostal motor nucleus. Both chronic IH protocols increased serotonin structure size and total area in the phrenic motor nuclei of uninjured rats, but had no detectable effects after C2Hx. Although the functional implications of fewer but larger serotonergic structures are unclear, we confirm that serotonergic reinnervation is substantial following injury, but IH does not affect the extent of reinnervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa C Ciesla
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Yasin B Seven
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Latoya L Allen
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kristin N Smith
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Zachary A Asa
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Alec K Simon
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashley E Holland
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Juliet V Santiago
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kelsey Stefan
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ashley Ross
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Elisa J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA
| | - Gordon S Mitchell
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center, Department of Physical Therapy & McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610, USA.
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13
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Fischer I, Dulin JN, Lane MA. Transplanting neural progenitor cells to restore connectivity after spinal cord injury. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:366-383. [PMID: 32518349 PMCID: PMC8384139 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury remains a scientific and therapeutic challenge with great cost to individuals and society. The goal of research in this field is to find a means of restoring lost function. Recently we have seen considerable progress in understanding the injury process and the capacity of CNS neurons to regenerate, as well as innovations in stem cell biology. This presents an opportunity to develop effective transplantation strategies to provide new neural cells to promote the formation of new neuronal networks and functional connectivity. Past and ongoing clinical studies have demonstrated the safety of cell therapy, and preclinical research has used models of spinal cord injury to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which donor cells interact with the host and thus increase long-term efficacy. While a variety of cell therapies have been explored, we focus here on the use of neural progenitor cells obtained or derived from different sources to promote connectivity in sensory, motor and autonomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzhak Fischer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Streeter KA, Sunshine MD, Patel SR, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Reier PJ, Baekey DM, Fuller DD. Mid-cervical interneuron networks following high cervical spinal cord injury. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2019; 271:103305. [PMID: 31553921 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2019.103305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spinal interneuron (IN) networks can facilitate respiratory motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized that excitatory synaptic connectivity between INs located immediately caudal to unilateral cervical SCI would be most prevalent in a contra- to ipsilateral direction. Adult rats were studied following chronic C2 spinal cord hemisection (C2Hx) injury. Rats were anesthetized and ventilated and a multi-electrode array was used to simultaneously record INs on both sides of the C4-5 spinal cord. The temporal firing relationship between IN pairs was evaluated using cross-correlation with directionality of synaptic connections inferred based on electrode location. During baseline recordings, the majority of detectable excitatory IN connections occurred in a contra- to- ipsilateral direction. However, acute respiratory stimulation with hypoxia abolished this directionality, while simultaneously increasing the detectable inhibitory connections within the ipsilateral cord. We conclude that propriospinal networks caudal to SCI can display a contralateral-to-ipsilateral directionality of synaptic connections and that these connections are modulated by acute exposure to hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Streeter
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - M D Sunshine
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - S R Patel
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - E J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - P J Reier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, United States; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States
| | - D M Baekey
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - D D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, United States; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
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15
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Allen LL, Seven YB, Baker TL, Mitchell GS. Cervical spinal contusion alters Na +-K +-2Cl- and K +-Cl- cation-chloride cotransporter expression in phrenic motor neurons. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2019; 261:15-23. [PMID: 30590202 PMCID: PMC6939623 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2018.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Spinal chloride-dependent synaptic inhibition is critical in regulating breathing and requires neuronal chloride gradients established by cation-chloride cotransporters Na+-K+-2Cl- (NKCC1) and K+-Cl- (KCC2). Spinal transection disrupts NKCC1/KCC2 balance, diminishing chloride gradients in neurons below injury, contributing to spasticity and chronic pain. It is not known if similar disruptions in NKCC1/KCC2 balance occur in respiratory motor neurons after incomplete cervical contusion (C2SC). We hypothesized that C2SC disrupts NKCC1/KCC2 balance in phrenic motor neurons. NKCC1 and KCC2 immunoreactivity was assessed in CtB-positive phrenic motor neurons. Five weeks post-C2SC: 1) neither membrane-bound nor cytosolic NKCC1 expression were significantly changed, although the membrane/cytosolic ratio increased, consistent with net chloride influx; and 2) both membrane and cytosolic KCC2 expression increased, although the membrane/cytosolic ratio decreased, consistent with net chloride efflux. Thus, contrary to our original hypothesis, complex shifts in NKCC1/KCC2 balance occur post-C2SC. The functional significance of these changes remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latoya L Allen
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610 USA; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Yasin B Seven
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA
| | - Tracy L Baker
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Gordon S Mitchell
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA; Center for Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA.
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16
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Cortical AAV-CNTF Gene Therapy Combined with Intraspinal Mesenchymal Precursor Cell Transplantation Promotes Functional and Morphological Outcomes after Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:9828725. [PMID: 30245710 PMCID: PMC6139201 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9828725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes survival and enhances long-distance regeneration of injured axons in parts of the adult CNS. Here we tested whether CNTF gene therapy targeting corticospinal neurons (CSN) in motor-related regions of the cerebral cortex promotes plasticity and regrowth of axons projecting into the female adult F344 rat spinal cord after moderate thoracic (T10) contusion injury (SCI). Cortical neurons were transduced with a bicistronic adeno-associated viral vector (AAV1) expressing a secretory form of CNTF coupled to mCHERRY (AAV-CNTFmCherry) or with control AAV only (AAV-GFP) two weeks prior to SCI. In some animals, viable or nonviable F344 rat mesenchymal precursor cells (rMPCs) were injected into the lesion site two weeks after SCI to modulate the inhibitory environment. Treatment with AAV-CNTFmCherry, as well as with AAV-CNTFmCherry combined with rMPCs, yielded functional improvements over AAV-GFP alone, as assessed by open-field and Ladderwalk analyses. Cyst size was significantly reduced in the AAV-CNTFmCherry plus viable rMPC treatment group. Cortical injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) revealed more BDA-stained axons rostral and alongside cysts in the AAV-CNTFmCherry versus AAV-GFP groups. After AAV-CNTFmCherry treatments, many sprouting mCherry-immunopositive axons were seen rostral to the SCI, and axons were also occasionally found caudal to the injury site. These data suggest that CNTF has the potential to enhance corticospinal repair by transducing parent CNS populations.
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17
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Spruance VM, Zholudeva LV, Hormigo KM, Randelman ML, Bezdudnaya T, Marchenko V, Lane MA. Integration of Transplanted Neural Precursors with the Injured Cervical Spinal Cord. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:1781-1799. [PMID: 29295654 PMCID: PMC6033309 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) result in devastating functional consequences, including respiratory dysfunction. This is largely attributed to the disruption of phrenic pathways, which control the diaphragm. Recent work has identified spinal interneurons as possible contributors to respiratory neuroplasticity. The present work investigated whether transplantation of developing spinal cord tissue, inherently rich in interneuronal progenitors, could provide a population of new neurons and growth-permissive substrate to facilitate plasticity and formation of novel relay circuits to restore input to the partially denervated phrenic motor circuit. One week after a lateralized, C3/4 contusion injury, adult Sprague-Dawley rats received allografts of dissociated, developing spinal cord tissue (from rats at gestational days 13-14). Neuroanatomical tracing and terminal electrophysiology was performed on the graft recipients 1 month later. Experiments using pseudorabies virus (a retrograde, transynaptic tracer) revealed connections from donor neurons onto host phrenic circuitry and from host, cervical interneurons onto donor neurons. Anatomical characterization of donor neurons revealed phenotypic heterogeneity, though donor-host connectivity appeared selective. Despite the consistent presence of cholinergic interneurons within donor tissue, transneuronal tracing revealed minimal connectivity with host phrenic circuitry. Phrenic nerve recordings revealed changes in burst amplitude after application of a glutamatergic, but not serotonergic antagonist to the transplant, suggesting a degree of functional connectivity between donor neurons and host phrenic circuitry that is regulated by glutamatergic input. Importantly, however, anatomical and functional results were variable across animals, and future studies will explore ways to refine donor cell populations and entrain consistent connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria M Spruance
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristiina M Hormigo
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margo L Randelman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vitaliy Marchenko
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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18
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Geissler SA, Sabin AL, Besser RR, Gooden OM, Shirk BD, Nguyen QM, Khaing ZZ, Schmidt CE. Biomimetic hydrogels direct spinal progenitor cell differentiation and promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury. J Neural Eng 2018; 15:025004. [PMID: 29303112 PMCID: PMC5988207 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aaa55c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Demyelination that results from disease or traumatic injury, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), can have a devastating effect on neural function and recovery. Many researchers are examining treatments to minimize demyelination by improving oligodendrocyte availability in vivo. Transplantation of stem and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells is a promising option, however, trials are plagued by undirected differentiation. Here we introduce a biomaterial that has been optimized to direct the differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) toward oligodendrocytes as a cell delivery vehicle after SCI. APPROACH A collagen-based hydrogel was modified to mimic the mechanical properties of the neonatal spinal cord, and components present in the developing extracellular matrix were included to provide appropriate chemical cues to the NPCs to direct their differentiation toward oligodendrocytes. The hydrogel with cells was then transplanted into a unilateral cervical contusion model of SCI to examine the functional recovery with this treatment. Six behavioral tests and histological assessment were performed to examine the in vivo response to this treatment. MAIN RESULTS Our results demonstrate that we can achieve a significant increase in oligodendrocyte differentiation of NPCs compared to standard culture conditions using a three-component biomaterial composed of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and laminin that has mechanical properties matched to those of neonatal neural tissue. Additionally, SCI rats with hydrogel transplants, with and without NPCs, showed functional recovery. Animals transplanted with hydrogels with NPCs showed significantly increased functional recovery over six weeks compared to the media control group. SIGNIFICANCE The three-component hydrogel presented here has the potential to provide cues to direct differentiation in vivo to encourage regeneration of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney A Geissler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States of America. J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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19
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Ganzer PD, Darrow MJ, Meyers EC, Solorzano BR, Ruiz AD, Robertson NM, Adcock KS, James JT, Jeong HS, Becker AM, Goldberg MP, Pruitt DT, Hays SA, Kilgard MP, Rennaker RL. Closed-loop neuromodulation restores network connectivity and motor control after spinal cord injury. eLife 2018. [PMID: 29533186 PMCID: PMC5849415 DOI: 10.7554/elife.32058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recovery from serious neurological injury requires substantial rewiring of neural circuits. Precisely-timed electrical stimulation could be used to restore corrective feedback mechanisms and promote adaptive plasticity after neurological insult, such as spinal cord injury (SCI) or stroke. This study provides the first evidence that closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV) based on the synaptic eligibility trace leads to dramatic recovery from the most common forms of SCI. The addition of CLV to rehabilitation promoted substantially more recovery of forelimb function compared to rehabilitation alone following chronic unilateral or bilateral cervical SCI in a rat model. Triggering stimulation on the most successful movements is critical to maximize recovery. CLV enhances recovery by strengthening synaptic connectivity from remaining motor networks to the grasping muscles in the forelimb. The benefits of CLV persist long after the end of stimulation because connectivity in critical neural circuits has been restored. The spine houses a network of neurons that relays electric signals from the brain cells to the muscles. When the spine is injured, some of these neurons may be damaged and their connections to the muscles broken. As a result, the muscles they command become weak, and movement is impaired. It is possible to strengthen the remaining neural connections with physical rehabilitation, but the results are limited. Vagus nerve stimulation, VNS for short, is a new technique that could help people recuperate better after their spine is injured. The vagus nerve controls the heart, lungs and guts, and it reports the state of the body to the brain. When this nerve is electrically stimulated, it releases chemicals that can strengthen the neural connections between brain, spine and muscles, and even create new ones. This rewiring process is essential to repair or bypass the broken neural connections caused by a spine injury. However, it is still not clear how best to use VNS to optimize recovery. Here, Ganzer et al. study how VNS helps rats whose forelimbs are weakened after a spine injury. Three groups of rats go through physical rehabilitation, using their affected front paws to pull a handle and feed themselves. Two of these groups also receive VNS: their vagus nerve is stimulated either after the best trials (strongest pulls) or worst trials (weakest pulls). Compared to the rehab-only and the worst trials-VNS animals, the rats that receive VNS on the best trials while using their affected paw have many more neuronal connections between their brain and the muscles in this limb. These muscles also become much stronger. VNS during the movement improves recovery whether the rodents have one or two front limbs injured, and the benefits are long lasting. As the rats pull the handle, the neurons involved in the movement get activated: they then carry a molecular ‘signature’ that lasts for a short time. When VNS is applied during that window, it appears to help these neurons form new connections with each other, as well as strengthen existing ones. These improved connections mean the brain can communicate better with the muscles: movement is enhanced, which results in greater functional recovery compared to rehabilitation alone. VNS is already trialed in stroke patients, who have weakened muscles because their brain neurons are damaged. The work by Ganzer et al. provides crucial information on how VNS could ultimately improve the recovery and quality of life of people with spine injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick D Ganzer
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | - Michael J Darrow
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States
| | - Eric C Meyers
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | | | - Andrea D Ruiz
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | | | - Katherine S Adcock
- School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States
| | - Justin T James
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | - Han S Jeong
- Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | - April M Becker
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Mark P Goldberg
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - David T Pruitt
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States
| | - Seth A Hays
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States.,School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States
| | - Michael P Kilgard
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States.,School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States
| | - Robert L Rennaker
- Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,Texas Biomedical Device Center, Richardson, United States.,School of Behavioral Brain Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States
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20
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Streeter KA, Sunshine MD, Patel SR, Liddell SS, Denholtz LE, Reier PJ, Fuller DD, Baekey DM. Coupling multielectrode array recordings with silver labeling of recording sites to study cervical spinal network connectivity. J Neurophysiol 2016; 117:1014-1029. [PMID: 27974450 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00638.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Midcervical spinal interneurons form a complex and diffuse network and may be involved in modulating phrenic motor output. The intent of the current work was to enable a better understanding of midcervical "network-level" connectivity by pairing the neurophysiological multielectrode array (MEA) data with histological verification of the recording locations. We first developed a method to deliver 100-nA currents to electroplate silver onto and subsequently deposit silver from electrode tips after obtaining midcervical (C3-C5) recordings using an MEA in anesthetized and ventilated adult rats. Spinal tissue was then fixed, harvested, and histologically processed to "develop" the deposited silver. Histological studies verified that the silver deposition method discretely labeled (50-μm resolution) spinal recording locations between laminae IV and X in cervical segments C3-C5. Using correlative techniques, we next tested the hypothesis that midcervical neuronal discharge patterns are temporally linked. Cross-correlation histograms produced few positive peaks (5.3%) in the range of 0-0.4 ms, but 21.4% of neuronal pairs had correlogram peaks with a lag of ≥0.6 ms. These results are consistent with synchronous discharge involving mono- and polysynaptic connections among midcervical neurons. We conclude that there is a high degree of synaptic connectivity in the midcervical spinal cord and that the silver-labeling method can reliably mark metal electrode recording sites and "map" interneuron populations, thereby providing a low-cost and effective tool for use in MEA experiments. We suggest that this method will be useful for further exploration of midcervical network connectivity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We describe a method that reliably identifies the locations of multielectrode array (MEA) recording sites while preserving the surrounding tissue for immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge, this is the first cost-effective method to identify the anatomic locations of neuronal ensembles recorded with a MEA during acute preparations without the requirement of specialized array electrodes. In addition, evaluation of activity recorded from silver-labeled sites revealed a previously unappreciated degree of connectivity between midcervical interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Streeter
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - M D Sunshine
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - S R Patel
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - S S Liddell
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - L E Denholtz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - P J Reier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - D D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - D M Baekey
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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21
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Mercier LM, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Streeter KA, Posgai SS, Poirier AS, Fuller DD, Reier PJ, Baekey DM. Intraspinal microstimulation and diaphragm activation after cervical spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2016; 117:767-776. [PMID: 27881723 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00721.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) using implanted electrodes can evoke locomotor movements after spinal cord injury (SCI) but has not been explored in the context of respiratory motor output. An advantage over epidural and direct muscle stimulation is the potential of ISMS to selectively stimulate components of the spinal respiratory network. The present study tested the hypothesis that medullary respiratory activity could be used to trigger midcervical ISMS and diaphragm motor unit activation in rats with cervical SCI. Studies were conducted after acute (hours) and subacute (5-21 days) C2 hemisection (C2Hx) injury in adult rats. Inspiratory bursting in the genioglossus (tongue) muscle was used to trigger a 250-ms train stimulus (100 Hz, 100-200 μA) to the ventral C4 spinal cord, targeting the phrenic motor nucleus. After both acute and subacute injury, genioglossus EMG activity effectively triggered ISMS and activated diaphragm motor units during the inspiratory phase. The ISMS paradigm also evoked short-term potentiation of spontaneous inspiratory activity in the previously paralyzed hemidiaphragm (i.e., bursting persisting beyond the stimulus period) in ∼70% of the C2Hx animals. We conclude that medullary inspiratory output can be used to trigger cervical ISMS and diaphragm activity after SCI. Further refinement of this method may enable "closed-loop-like" ISMS approaches to sustain ventilation after severe SCI.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined the feasibility of using intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) of the cervical spinal cord to evoke diaphragm activity ipsilateral to acute and subacute hemisection of the upper cervical spinal cord of the rat. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated the efficacy of diaphragm activation, using an upper airway respiratory EMG signal to trigger ISMS at the level of the ipsilesional phrenic nucleus during acute and advanced postinjury intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Mercier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - E J Gonzalez-Rothi
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - K A Streeter
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - S S Posgai
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - A S Poirier
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - D D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; and
| | - P J Reier
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - D M Baekey
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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22
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Wei ZJ, Zhou XH, Fan BY, Lin W, Ren YM, Feng SQ. Proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of spinal cord injury‑induced skeletal muscle atrophy in rats. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:165-74. [PMID: 27177391 PMCID: PMC4918545 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) may result in skeletal muscle atrophy. Identifying diagnostic biomarkers and effective targets for treatment is an important challenge in clinical work. The aim of the present study is to elucidate potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SCI‑induced muscle atrophy (SIMA) using proteomic and bioinformatic analyses. The protein samples from rat soleus muscle were collected at different time points following SCI injury and separated by two‑dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared with the sham group. The identities of these protein spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). MS demonstrated that 20 proteins associated with muscle atrophy were differentially expressed. Bioinformatic analyses indicated that SIMA changed the expression of proteins associated with cellular, developmental, immune system and metabolic processes, biological adhesion and localization. The results of the present study may be beneficial in understanding the molecular mechanisms of SIMA and elucidating potential biomarkers and targets for the treatment of muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jian Wei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Xian-Hu Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Bao-You Fan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Ming Ren
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Qing Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
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23
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Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Armstrong GT, Cerreta AJ, Fitzpatrick GM, Reier PJ, Lane MA, Judge AR, Fuller DD. Forelimb muscle plasticity following unilateral cervical spinal cord injury. Muscle Nerve 2016; 53:475-8. [PMID: 26662579 PMCID: PMC4733411 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy are well documented in the lower extremity after spinal cord injury. However, the extent and time course of myoplastic changes in forelimb musculature is not clear. METHODS Forelimb muscle morphology and fiber type were evaluated after high cervical hemilesion injury in rats. RESULTS There was significant atrophy of the ipsilateral extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle at 2 weeks postinjury, which was subsequently reversed at 8 weeks postinjury. The triceps muscle showed minimal evidence of atrophy after spinal injury. No significant changes in fiber type were observed. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a robust capacity for spontaneous myoplasticity after C2 hemisection injury but highlight differential capacity for plasticity within the forelimb muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa J. Gonzalez-Rothi
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Gregory T. Armstrong
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Anthony J. Cerreta
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Garrett M. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paul J. Reier
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Michael A. Lane
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Andrew R. Judge
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - David D. Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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