1
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Zhao JY, Sheng XL, Li CJ, Qin T, He RD, Dai GY, Cao Y, Lu HB, Duan CY, Hu JZ. Metformin promotes angiogenesis and functional recovery in aged mice after spinal cord injury by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1553-1562. [PMID: 36571362 PMCID: PMC10075126 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury. However, its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear. Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process, we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells, thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury. In this study, we established young and aged mouse models of contusive spinal cord injury using a modified Allen method. We found that aging hindered the recovery of neurological function and the formation of blood vessels in the spinal cord. Treatment with metformin promoted spinal cord microvascular endothelial cell migration and blood vessel formation in vitro. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of metformin in an in vivo model promoted endothelial cell proliferation and increased the density of new blood vessels in the spinal cord, thereby improving neurological function. The role of metformin was reversed by compound C, an adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibitor, both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway likely regulates metformin-mediated angiogenesis after spinal cord injury. These findings suggest that metformin promotes vascular regeneration in the injured spinal cord by activating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway, thereby improving the neurological function of aged mice after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yun Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiao-Long Sheng
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Cheng-Jun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Tian Qin
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Run-Dong He
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guo-Yu Dai
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hong-Bin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health; Department of Sports Medicine, Research Centre of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chun-Yue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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2
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Smith NJ, Doody NE, Štěpánková K, Fuller M, Ichiyama RM, Kwok JCF, Egginton S. Spatiotemporal microvascular changes following contusive spinal cord injury. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1152131. [PMID: 37025098 PMCID: PMC10070689 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1152131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microvascular integrity is disrupted following spinal cord injury (SCI) by both primary and secondary insults. Changes to neuronal structures are well documented, but little is known about how the capillaries change and recover following injury. Spatiotemporal morphological information is required to explore potential treatments targeting the microvasculature post-SCI to improve functional recovery. Sprague-Dawley rats were given a T10 moderate/severe (200 kDyn) contusion injury and were perfuse-fixed at days 2, 5, 15, and 45 post-injury. Unbiased stereology following immunohistochemistry in four areas (ventral and dorsal grey and white matter) across seven spinal segments (n = 4 for each group) was used to calculate microvessel density, surface area, and areal density. In intact sham spinal cords, average microvessel density across the thoracic spinal cord was: ventral grey matter: 571 ± 45 mm-2, dorsal grey matter: 484 ± 33 mm-2, ventral white matter: 90 ± 8 mm-2, dorsal white matter: 88 ± 7 mm-2. Post-SCI, acute microvascular disruption was evident, particularly at the injury epicentre, and spreading three spinal segments rostrally and caudally. Damage was most severe in grey matter at the injury epicentre (T10) and T11. Reductions in all morphological parameters (95-99% at day 2 post-SCI) implied vessel regression and/or collapse acutely. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed disturbed aspects of neurovascular unit fine structure at day 2 post-SCI (n = 2 per group) at T10 and T11. TEM demonstrated a more diffuse and disrupted basement membrane and wider intercellular clefts at day 2, suggesting a more permeable blood spinal cord barrier and microvessel remodelling. Some evidence of angiogenesis was seen during recovery from days 2 to 45, indicated by increased vessel density, surface area, and areal density at day 45. These novel results show that the spinal cord microvasculature is highly adaptive following SCI, even at chronic stages and up to three spinal segments from the injury epicentre. Multiple measures of gross and fine capillary structure from acute to chronic time points provide insight into microvascular remodelling post-SCI. We have identified key vascular treatment targets, namely stabilising damaged capillaries and replacing destroyed vessels, which may be used to improve functional outcomes following SCI in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J. Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie E. Doody
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kateřina Štěpánková
- Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Fuller
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jessica C. F. Kwok
- Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Stuart Egginton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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3
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Huang JH, Chen YN, He H, Fu CH, Xu ZY, Lin FY. Schwann cells-derived exosomes promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury by promoting angiogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 16:1077071. [PMID: 36687521 PMCID: PMC9846210 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1077071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are small vesicles that contain diverse miRNA, mRNA, and proteins that are secreted by multiple cells, and play a vital function in cell-cell communication. Numerous exosomes produced by cells have been demonstrated to be protective against spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Schwann cells-derived exosomes (SCs-Exos) on spinal cord injury. We found that SCs-Exos can be taken directly by brain-derived endothelial cells.3 (bEnd.3 cells) and promoted to proliferate, migrate, and form bEnd.3 tube. Additionally, our results showed that the pro-angiogenesis molecules, Integrin-β1, were highly expressed in SCs-Exos. Moreover, we used special shRNA technology to investigate the role of Integrin-β1 in mediating the effect of SCs-Exos-induced angiogenesis on bEnd.3 cells. We observed that the pro-angiogenic effect of SCs-Exos on bEnd.3 cells was suppressed by inhibiting the expression of integrin-β1 in SCs-Exos. In the SCI model, we found that SCs-Exos attenuated tissue damage and improved functional recovery after SCI. Using immunofluorescence staining, we observed that SCs-Exos treatment promoted angiogenesis in SCI, and integrin-β1 was required to promote angiogenesis. In conclusion, our results indicate that SCs-Exos promote angiogenesis by delivering integrin-β1 and may serve as a promising novel therapeutic agent for enhancing neurological functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Hu Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yong-Neng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hang He
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chun-Hui Fu
- Fuzhou Maixin Biotech. Co., Ltd., Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhao-Yi Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fei-Yue Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China,*Correspondence: Fei-Yue Lin,
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4
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Guo Z, Li C, Cao Y, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Li P, Zhou Y, Duan C, Hu J, Lu H. 3D visualization and morphometric analysis of spinal motion segments and vascular networks: A synchrotron radiation-based micro-CT study in mice. J Anat 2022; 240:268-278. [PMID: 34622448 PMCID: PMC8742973 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13556] [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: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of spinal motion segments and spinal vasculature is complicated. Visualizing the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the spine may provide guidance for spine surgery. However, conventional imaging techniques fail to simultaneously obtain 3D images of soft and hard tissues, and achieving such coimaging states of the spine and its vascular networks remains a challenge. Synchrotron radiation micro-CT (SRμCT) provides a relatively effective and novel method of acquiring detailed 3D information. In this study, specimens of the thoracic spine were obtained from six mice. SRμCT was employed to acquire 3D images of the structure, and histologic staining was performed for comparisons with the SRμCT images. The whole spinal motion segments and the spinal vascular network were simultaneously explored at high resolution. The mean thickness of the cartilaginous end plates (CEPs) and the volume of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) were calculated. The surface of the CEPs and the facet joint cartilage (FJC) were presented as heat maps, which allowed for direct visualization of the thickness distribution. Regional division revealed heterogeneity among the ventral, central, and dorsal parts of the CEPs and between the superior and inferior parts of the facet processes. Moreover, the connections and spatial morphology of the spinal vascular network were visualized. Our study indicates that SRμCT imaging is an ideal method for high-resolution visualization and 3D morphometric analysis of the whole spinal motion segments and spinal vascular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Guo
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Spine Surgery Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Chengjun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan ProvinceChangshaChina
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan ProvinceChangshaChina
| | - Liyuan Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan ProvinceChangshaChina
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Sports MedicineAffiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
- Traumatic Orthopaedic Institute of Shandong ProvinceAffiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Ping Li
- Department of ObstetricsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yongchun Zhou
- Department of OrthopedicShanxi Provincial People’s HospitalXi’anChina
| | - Chunyue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery and OrthopaedicsXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan ProvinceChangshaChina
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan ProvinceChangshaChina
- Department of Sports MedicineResearch Centre of Sports MedicineXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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5
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David G, Vallotton K, Hupp M, Curt A, Freund P, Seif M. Extent of cord pathology in the lumbosacral enlargement in non-traumatic versus traumatic spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:639-650. [PMID: 35018824 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compares remote neurodegenerative changes caudal to a cervical injury in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) (i.e., non-traumatic) and incomplete traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) patients, using MRI-based tissue area measurements and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Eighteen mild to moderate DCM patients with sensory impairments (mJOA score: 16.2±1.9), 14 incomplete tetraplegic tSCI patients (AIS C&D), and 20 healthy controls were recruited. All participants received DTI and T2*-weighted scans in the lumbosacral enlargement (caudal to injury) and at C2/C3 (rostral to injury). MRI readouts included DTI metrics in the white matter (WM) columns and cross-sectional WM and gray matter area. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc comparison (p<0.05) was used to assess group differences. In the lumbosacral enlargement, compared to DCM, tSCI patients exhibited decreased fractional anisotropy in the lateral (tSCI vs. DCM, -11.9%, p=0.007) and ventral WM column (-8.0%, p=0.021), and showed trend toward lower values in the dorsal column (-8.9%, p=0.068). At C2/C3, compared to controls, fractional anisotropy was lower in both groups in the dorsal (DCM vs. controls, -7.9%, p=0.024; tSCI vs. controls, -10.0%, p=0.007) and in the lateral column (DCM: -6.2%, p=0.039; tSCI: -13.3%, p<0.001), while tSCI patients had lower fractional anisotropy than DCM patients in the lateral column (-7.6%, p=0.029). WM areas were not different between patient groups but were lower compared to controls in the lumbosacral enlargement (DCM: -16.9%, p<0.001; tSCI, -10.5%, p=0.043) and at C2/C3 (DCM: -16.0%, p<0.001; tSCI: -18.1%, p<0.001). In conclusion, mild to moderate DCM and incomplete tSCI lead to similar degree of degeneration of the dorsal and lateral columns at C2/C3, but tSCI results in more widespread white matter damage in the lumbosacral enlargement. These remote changes are likely to contribute to the patients' impairment and recovery. DTI is a sensitive tool to assess remote pathological changes in DCM and tSCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely David
- University of Zurich, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 37734, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Kevin Vallotton
- University of Zurich, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Markus Hupp
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Armin Curt
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Patrick Freund
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,UCL Institute of Neurology, 61554, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,UCL Institute of Neurology, 61554, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 27184, Department of Neurophysics, Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Maryam Seif
- University of Zurich, 27217, Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, 27184, Leipzig, Department of Neurophysics, Germany;
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6
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Redenski I, Guo S, Machour M, Szklanny A, Landau S, Egozi D, Gabet Y, Levenberg S. Microcomputed Tomography-Based Analysis of Neovascularization within Bioengineered Vascularized Tissues. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:232-241. [PMID: 34905338 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the field of tissue engineering, evaluating newly formed vascular networks is considered a fundamental step in deciphering the processes underlying tissue development. Several common modalities exist to study vessel network formation and function. However, a proper methodology that allows through three-dimensional visualization of neovessels in a reproducible manner is required. Here, we describe in-depth exploration, visualization, and analysis of vessels within newly formed tissues by utilizing a contrast agent perfusion protocol and high-resolution microcomputed tomography. Bioengineered constructs consisting of porous, biocompatible, and biodegradable scaffolds are loaded with cocultures of adipose-derived microvascular endothelial cells (HAMECs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and implanted in a rat femoral bundle model. After 14 days of in vivo maturation, we performed the optimized perfusion protocol to allow host penetrating vascular visualization and assessment within neotissues. Following high-resolution microCT scanning of DPSC:HAMEC explants, we performed the volumetric and spatial analysis of neovasculature. Eventually, the process was repeated with a previously published coculture system for prevascularization based on adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and HAMECs. Overall, our approach allows a comprehensive understanding of vessel organization during engraftment and development of neotissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idan Redenski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Shaowei Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515000, China
| | - Majd Machour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Ariel Szklanny
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Shira Landau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Dana Egozi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot and the Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion─Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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7
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Sheng X, Zhao J, Li M, Xu Y, Zhou Y, Xu J, He R, Lu H, Wu T, Duan C, Cao Y, Hu J. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Accelerate Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury by Promoting the Phagocytosis of Macrophages to Clean Myelin Debris. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:772205. [PMID: 34820385 PMCID: PMC8606563 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.772205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophage phagocytosis contributes predominantly to processing central nervous system (CNS) debris and further facilitates neurological function restoration after CNS injury. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exos) on the phagocytic capability of macrophages to clear myelin debris and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism during the spinal cord injury (SCI) process. This work reveals that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infiltrating into the SCI site could efficiently engulf myelin debris and process phagocytic material. However, the phagocytic ability of macrophages to clear tissue debris is compromised after SCI. The administration of BMSC-Exos as an approach for SCI treatment could rescue macrophage normal function by improving the phagocytic capability of myelin debris internalization, which is beneficial for SCI repair, as evidenced by better axon regrowth and increased hindlimb locomotor functional recovery in a rodent model. Examination of macrophage treatment with BMSC-Exos revealed that BMSC-Exos could promote the capacity of macrophages to phagocytose myelin debris in vitro and could create a regenerative microenvironment for axon regrowth. In addition, we confirmed that BMSC-Exo treatment resulted in improved phagocytosis of engulfed myelin debris by promoting the expression of macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) in macrophages. The inhibition of MARCO with PolyG (a MARCO antagonist) impaired the effect of BMSC-Exos on the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and resulted in compromised myelin clearance at the lesion site, leading to further tissue damage and impaired functional healing after SCI. In conclusion, these data indicated that targeting the phagocytic ability of macrophages may have therapeutic potential for the improvement in functional healing after SCI. The administration of BMSC-Exos as a cell-free immune therapy strategy has wide application prospects for SCI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Sheng
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinyun Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Pain, Institute of Pain Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Xu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rundong He
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tianding Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sports and Health, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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8
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Li C, Qin T, Zhao J, He R, Wen H, Duan C, Lu H, Cao Y, Hu J. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosome-Educated Macrophages Promote Functional Healing After Spinal Cord Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:725573. [PMID: 34650405 PMCID: PMC8506031 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.725573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord injury is a site of severe central nervous system (CNS) trauma and disease without an effective treatment strategy. Neurovascular injuries occur spontaneously following spinal cord injury (SCI), leading to irreversible loss of motor and sensory function. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosome-educated macrophages (EEM) have great characteristics as therapeutic candidates for SCI treatment. It remains unknown whether EEM could promote functional healing after SCI. The effect of EEM on neurovascular regeneration after SCI needs to be further explored. We generated M2-like macrophages using exosomes isolated from BMSCs, which were known as EEM, and directly used these EEM for SCI treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of EEM using a spinal cord contusive injury mouse model in vivo combined with an in vitro cell functional assay and compared the results to those of a normal spinal cord without any biological intervention, or PBS treatment or macrophage alone (MQ). Neurological function measurements and histochemical tests were performed to evaluate the effect of EEM on angiogenesis and axon regrowth. In the current study, we found that treatment with EEM effectively promoted the angiogenic activity of HUVECs and axonal growth in cortical neurons. Furthermore, exogenous administration of EEM directly into the injured spinal cord could promote neurological functional healing by modulating angiogenesis and axon growth. EEM treatment could provide a novel strategy to promote healing after SCI and various other neurovascular injury disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Tian Qin
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Jinyun Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Rundong He
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Haicheng Wen
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyue Duan
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Research Centre of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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9
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Cao Y, Xu Y, Chen C, Xie H, Lu H, Hu J. Local delivery of USC-derived exosomes harboring ANGPTL3 enhances spinal cord functional recovery after injury by promoting angiogenesis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:20. [PMID: 33413639 PMCID: PMC7791988 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-02078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal cord injury is a devastating clinical condition for which there are currently no effective therapeutic options. In the present study, we aim to investigate if the effect of an administered injection of exosomes derived from human urine stem cell (USC-Exo) embedded in hydrogel could improve the spinal cord functional recovery after injury and the underlying mechanism. Methods Exosomes were isolated from USC and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot. Functional assays in vitro were performed to assess the effects of USC-Exo on tube formation and migration, as well as their regulatory role in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation. A locally administered injection of exosome embedded in hydrogel was used for SCI treatment. The effects of USC-Exo on functional recovery and the role of the candidate protein ANGPTL3 harboring in USC-Exo for promoting angiogenesis in SCI model were assessed. Results In the current study, we demonstrate that a locally administered injection of USC-Exo embedded in hydrogel can pass the spinal cord blood-brain barrier and deliver ANGPTL3 to the injured spinal cord region. In addition, the administration of human USC-Exo could enhance spinal cord neurological functional recovery by promoting angiogenesis. The results of mechanistic studies revealed that ANGPTL3 is enriched in USC-Exo and is required for their ability to promote angiogenesis. Functional studies further confirmed that the effects of USC-Exo on angiogenesis are mediated by the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion Collectively, our results indicate that USC-Exo serve as a crucial regulator of angiogenesis by delivering ANGPTL3 and may represent a promising novel therapeutic agent for SCI repair. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-020-02078-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Chunyuan Chen
- Movement System Injury and Repair Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Movement System Injury and Repair Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
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10
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Jiang L, Cao Y, Yin X, Ni S, Li M, Li C, Luo Z, Lu H, Hu J. A combinatorial method to visualize the neuronal network in the mouse spinal cord: combination of a modified Golgi-Cox method and synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 155:477-489. [PMID: 33398435 PMCID: PMC8062354 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01949-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Exploring the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of neurons is essential to understanding spinal cord function and associated diseases comprehensively. However, 3D imaging of the neuronal network in the broad region of the spinal cord at cellular resolution remains a challenge in the field of neuroscience. In this study, to obtain high-resolution 3D imaging of a detailed neuronal network in the mass of the spinal cord, the combination of synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) and the Golgi-cox staining were used. We optimized the Golgi-Cox method (GCM) and developed a modified GCM (M-GCM), which improved background staining, reduced the number of artefacts, and diminished the impact of incomplete vasculature compared to the current GCM. Moreover, we achieved high-resolution 3D imaging of the detailed neuronal network in the spinal cord through the combination of SRμCT and M-GCM. Our results showed that the M-GCM increased the contrast between the neuronal structure and its surrounding extracellular matrix. Compared to the GCM, the M-GCM also diminished the impact of the artefacts and incomplete vasculature on the 3D image. Additionally, the 3D neuronal architecture was successfully quantified using a combination of SRμCT and M-GCM. The SRμCT was shown to be a valuable non-destructive tool for 3D visualization of the neuronal network in the broad 3D region of the spinal cord. Such a combinatorial method will, therefore, transform the presentation of Golgi staining from 2 to 3D, providing significant improvements in the 3D rendering of the neuronal network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangfei Ni
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixiang Luo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China.,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China. .,Xiangya Hospital-International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society Sports Medicine Research Centre, Changsha, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Engineering Research Center of Sport and Health, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Strotton MC, Bodey AJ, Wanelik K, Hobbs C, Rau C, Bradbury EJ. The spatiotemporal spread of cervical spinal cord contusion injury pathology revealed by 3D in-line phase contrast synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Exp Neurol 2020; 336:113529. [PMID: 33220238 PMCID: PMC7840595 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Extensive structural changes occur within the spinal cord following traumatic injury. Acute tissue debris and necrotic tissue are broken down, proliferating local glia and infiltrating leukocytes remodel tissue biochemical and biophysical properties, and a chronic cavity surrounded by a scar forms at the injury epicentre. Serial-section 2D histology has traditionally assessed these features in experimental models of spinal cord injury (SCI) to measure the extent of tissue pathology and evaluate efficacy of novel therapies. However, this 2D snapshot approach overlooks slice intervening features, with accurate representation of tissue compromised by mechanical processing artefacts. 3D imaging avoids these caveats and allows full exploration of the injured tissue volume to characterise whole tissue pathology. Amongst 3D imaging modalities, Synchrotron Radiation X-ray microtomography (SRμCT) is advantageous for its speed, ability to cover large tissue volumes at high resolution, and need for minimal sample processing. Here we demonstrate how extended lengths of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) rat spinal cord can be completely imaged by SRμCT with micron resolution. Label-free contrast derived from X-ray phase interactions with low-density soft tissues, reveals spinal cord white matter, gray matter, tissue damage and vasculature, with tissue still viable for targeted 2D-histology after 3D imaging. We used SRμCT to quantify tissue pathology after a midline, cervical level (C6), 225 kDyne contusion injury over acute-to-chronic (24 h to 5 weeks) post injury time points. Quantification revealed acute tissue swelling prior to chronic atrophy across the whole imaged region (spanning 2 spinal segments above and below injury), along with rostro-caudal asymmetries in white and gray matter volume loss. 3D volumes revealed satellite damage in tissue far removed from the epicentre, and extensive rostro-caudal spread of damage through the base of the dorsal columns at 24 h post injury. This damage overlapped regions of vasogenic oedema, confirmed with subsequent histology. Tissue damage at later time points in border regions was most prominent in the dorsal columns, where it overlapped sites of damaged venous vasculature. Elaborating rostro-caudal and spatiotemporal asymmetries in reduced traumatic injury models centred on these regions may inform future treatments that seek to limit the spread of tissue pathology to these ‘at-risk’ regions. Whole rat spinal cord SRμCT tomograms (up to 20 mm length) with μm resolution Pathology of 3 SHAM and 24 acute-to-chronic C6 midline contusion SCIs quantified Rostro-caudal asymmetries in gray and white matter pathology progression Differences in ascending and descending dorsal column tract pathology Delayed rostral-caudal pathology associated with sites of venous vasculature
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrick C Strotton
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | | | | | - Carl Hobbs
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | | | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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12
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Guo S, Redenski I, Landau S, Szklanny A, Merdler U, Levenberg S. Prevascularized Scaffolds Bearing Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells for Treating Complete Spinal Cord Injury. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000974. [PMID: 32902147 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The regeneration of injured spinal cord is hampered by the lack of vascular supply and neurotrophic support. Transplanting tissue-engineered constructs with developed vascular networks and neurotrophic factors, and further understanding the pattern of vessel growth in the remodeled spinal cord tissue are greatly desired. To this end, highly vascularized scaffolds embedded with human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are fabricated, which possess paracrine-mediated angiogenic and neuroregenerative potentials. The potent pro-angiogenic effect of the prevascularized scaffolds is first demonstrated in a rat femoral bundle model, showing robust vessel growth and blood perfusion induced within these scaffolds postimplantation, as evidenced by laser speckle contrast imaging and 3D microCT dual imaging modalities. More importantly, in a rat complete spinal cord transection model, the implantation of these scaffolds to the injured spinal cords can also promote revascularization, as well as axon regeneration, myelin deposition, and sensory recovery. Furthermore, 3D microCT imaging and novel morphometric analysis on the remodeled spinal cord tissue demonstrate substantial regenerated vessels, more significantly in the sensory tract regions, which correlates with behavioral recovery following prevascularization treatment. Taken together, prevascularized DPSC-embedded constructs bear angiogenic and neurotrophic potentials, capable of augmenting and modulating SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Guo
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, China
| | - Idan Redenski
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Shira Landau
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Ariel Szklanny
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Uri Merdler
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
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13
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Barbone GE, Bravin A, Mittone A, Kraiger MJ, Hrabě de Angelis M, Bossi M, Ballarini E, Rodriguez-Menendez V, Ceresa C, Cavaletti G, Coan P. Establishing sample-preparation protocols for X-ray phase-contrast CT of rodent spinal cords: Aldehyde fixations and osmium impregnation. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 339:108744. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Jiang L, Cao Y, Liu Z, Ni S, Liu J, Ha Y, Luo Z, Li C, Liu S, Li J, Yin X, Wu T, Lu H, Hu J. SRμCT Reveals 3D Microstructural Alterations of the Vascular and Neuronal Network in a Rat Model of Chronic Compressive Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury. Aging Dis 2020; 11:603-617. [PMID: 32489705 PMCID: PMC7220295 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex pathology of chronic thoracic spinal cord compression involves vascular and neuroarchitectural repair processes that are still largely unknown. In this study, we used synchrotron radiation microtomography (SRμCT) to quantitatively characterize the 3D temporal-spatial changes in the vascular and neuronal network after chronic thoracic spinal cord compression in order to obtain further insights into the pathogenesis of this disease and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Direct 3D characterization of the spinal cord microvasculature and neural microstructure of the thoracic spinal cord was successfully reconstructed. The significant reduction in vasculature and degeneration of neurons in the thoracic spinal cord visualized via SRμCT after chronic compression were consistent with the changes detected by immunofluorescence staining. The 3D morphological measurements revealed significant reductions of neurovascular parameters in the thoracic spinal cord after 1 month of compression and became even worse after 6 months without relief of compression. In addition, the distinct 3D morphological twist and the decrease in branches of the central sulcal artery after chronic compression vividly displayed that these could be the potential triggers leading to blood flow reduction and neural deficits of the thoracic spinal cord. Our findings propose a novel methodology for the 3D analysis of neurovascular repair in chronic spinal cord compression, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results indicated that compression simultaneously caused vascular dysfunction and neuronal network impairment, which should be acknowledged as concurrent events after chronic thoracic spinal cord injury. Combining neuroprotection with vasoprotection may provide promising therapeutic targets for chronic thoracic spinal cord compression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Jiang
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Cao
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- 3The First Chenzhou People's Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - Shuangfei Ni
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Liu
- 3The First Chenzhou People's Hospital, Chenzhou, China
| | - Yoon Ha
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Zixiang Luo
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Shaohua Liu
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingsong Li
- 5Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- 6Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianding Wu
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hongbin Lu
- 2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,7Department of Sports Medicine, Research Centre of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- 1Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,2Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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15
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Sun M, Lv W, Zhao X, Qin L, Zhao Y, Xin X, Jian J, Chen X, Hu C. Vascular branching geometry relating to portal hypertension: a study of liver microvasculature in cirrhotic rats by X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:116-127. [PMID: 31956535 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.11.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Portal hypertension is one of the major complications of cirrhosis. The changes in hepatic microvasculature are considered as critical pathophysiological characteristics of portal hypertension. X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (PCCT) is a new imaging technique that can detect liver vessels at a micrometric level without contrast agents. Methods In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats with liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or bile duct ligation (BDL) were investigated with PCCT. The portal pressures of rats were recorded before euthanasia. The branch angle and Murray's deviation (MD) were measured based on the branching geometry of the three-dimensional (3D) microvasculature of liver cirrhosis in rats. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between branching geometry and portal pressure in liver fibrosis. Results The results demonstrated that the branch angle and MD significantly increased in the CCl4 model and BDL model compared with their corresponding normal group or sham group. The portal pressure was significantly correlated with the branching morphologic features (all R≥0.761 and P<0.01). Conclusions The branch angle and MD could accurately distinguish portal pressure in cirrhotic rats, suggesting that branching geometric characteristics of the microvasculature may be a promising marker in the prognosis of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyu Sun
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xinyan Zhao
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lili Qin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Yuqing Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaohong Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- Radiation Oncology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Technology, Ministry of Education (Tianjin University), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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16
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Zhong D, Cao Y, Li CJ, Li M, Rong ZJ, Jiang L, Guo Z, Lu HB, Hu JZ. Neural stem cell-derived exosomes facilitate spinal cord functional recovery after injury by promoting angiogenesis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:54-65. [PMID: 31903774 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219895491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating event without effective therapeutic approach. The feeble plasticity of spinal cord microvascular endothelial cells (SCMECs) after trauma is one of the major causes for the exacerbation of spinal cord injury. Therefore, improving the plasticity and regeneration of SCMECs is crucial to promote recovery after spinal cord injury. For the present study, we explored the influence of exosomes derived from neural stem cells (NSCs-Exos) on the spinal cord microvascular regeneration after spinal cord injury and determined the underlying mechanisms. After the primary NSCs and SCMECs were extracted, exosomes were isolated from NSCs conditioned medium and used to co-incubated with the SCMECs in vitro, and then the effect of exosomes on the angiogenic activities of SCMECs was measured. The candidate molecules involved in the NSCs-Exos-mediated angiogenesis were screened using Western blotting. The effect of NSCs-Exos on angiogenesis and spinal cord functional recovery after injury in vivo was analyzed. The results demonstrated that NSCs-Exos could enhance the angiogenic activities of SCMECs, and were highly enriched in VEGF-A. The level of VEGF-A was downregulated in NSCsshVEGF-A-Exos and the pro-angiogenic effects on cocultured SCMECs were inhibited. Furthermore, NSCs-Exos significantly accelerated the microvascular regeneration, reduced the spinal cord cavity, and improved the Basso mouse scale scores in spinal cord injury mice. This work provides the evidence of the underlying mechanism of NSCs-Exos-mediated angiogenesis and suggests a novel therapeutic target for spinal cord injury. Impact statement The feeble plasticity of SCMECs after trauma is one of the major causes for the exacerbation of SCI. Therefore, improving the regeneration ability of SCMECs is crucial to promote spinal cord functional recovery after injury. Our current study uncovered that NSCs-Exos could promote SCMECs migration, tube formation and proliferation in vitro, and further identified that exosomal VEGF-A mediated the pro-angiogenic effect. Furthermore, we observed a remarkable microvascular density increase, spinal cord cavity shrinkage, and motor function recovery in SCI mice treated with NSCs-Exos, which confirmed the therapeutic effects of NSCs-Exos to alleviate SCI. Downregulating VEGF-A partially abolished these effects of NSCs-Exos. This is the first study to reveal that NSCs-Exos has the pro-angiogenic effect on SCMECs by transferring VEGF-A and promote microvascular regeneration and tissue healing, indicating that NSCs-Exos can become a promising therapeutic bioagent for facilitating the functional recovery of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhong
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Cheng-Jun Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Zi-Jie Rong
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Liyuan Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Zhu Guo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, PR China
| | - Hong-Bin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Department of Sports Medicine, Research Center of Sports Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China
| | - Jian-Zhong Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha 410008, PR China
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17
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Seif M, David G, Huber E, Vallotton K, Curt A, Freund P. Cervical Cord Neurodegeneration in Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 37:860-867. [PMID: 31544628 PMCID: PMC7071087 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare macrostructural and microstructural neurodegenerative changes remote from a cervical spinal cord injury in traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) patients using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-nine tSCI patients, 20 mild/moderate DCM patients, and 22 healthy controls underwent a high-resolution MRI protocol at the cervical cord (C2/C3). High-resolution T2*-weighted and diffusion-weighted scans provided data to calculate tissue-specific cross-sectional areas of the spinal cord and tract-specific diffusion indices of cord white matter, respectively. Regression analysis determined associations between neurodegeneration and clinical impairment. tSCI patients showed more impairment in upper limb strength and manual dexterity when compared with DCM patients. While macrostructural MRI measures revealed a similar extent of remote cord atrophy at cervical level, microstructural measures (diffusion indices) were able to distinguish more pronounced tract-specific neurodegeneration in tSCI patients when compared with DCM patients. Tract-specific neurodegeneration was associated with upper limb impairment. Despite clinical differences between severely impaired tSCI compared with mildly affected DCM patient, extensive cord atrophy is present remotely from the focal spinal cord injury. Diffusion indices revealed greater tract-specific alterations in tSCI patients. Therefore, diffusion indices are more sensitive than macrostructural MRI measures as these are able to distinguish between traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Neuroimaging biomarkers of cervical cord integrity hold potential as predictors of recovery and might be suitable biomarkers for interventional trials both in traumatic and non-traumatic SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gergely David
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eveline Huber
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Vallotton
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.,Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Duan J, Hu C, Qiu Q, Zhang J, Meng H, Wang K, Dong H, Wei H, Yin Y. Characterization of microvessels and parenchyma in in-line phase contrast imaging CT: healthy liver, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2019; 9:1037-1046. [PMID: 31367557 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.06.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with a poor prognosis, and approximately 80% of HCC cases develop from cirrhosis. Imaging techniques in the clinic seem to be insufficient for revealing the microstructures of liver disease. In recent years, phase contrast imaging CT (PCI-CT) has opened new avenues for biomedical applications owing to its unprecedented spatial and contrast resolution. The aim of this study was to present three-dimensional (3D) visualization of human healthy liver, cirrhosis and HCC using a PCI-CT technique called in-line phase contrast imaging CT (ILPCI-CT) and to quantitatively evaluate the variations of these tissues, focusing on the liver parenchyma and microvasculature. Methods Tissue samples from 9 surgical specimens of normal liver (n=3), cirrhotic liver (n=2), and HCC (n=4) were imaged using ILPCI-CT at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) without contrast agents. 3D visualization of all ex vivo liver samples are presented. To quantitatively evaluate the vessel features, the vessel branch angles of each sample were clearly depicted. Additionally, radiomic features of the liver parenchyma extracted from the 3D images were measured. To evaluate the stability of the features, the percent coefficient of variation (%COV) was calculated for each radiomic feature. A %COV <30 was considered to be low variation. Finally, one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test, was used to determine significant changes among the different liver specimens. Results ILPCI-CT allows for a clearer view of the architecture of the vessels and reveals more structural details than does conventional radiography. Combined with the 3D visualization technique, ILPCI-CT enables the acquisition of an accurate description of the 3D vessel morphology in liver samples. Qualitative descriptions and quantitative assessment of microvessels demonstrated clear differences among human healthy liver, cirrhotic liver and HCC. In total, 38 (approximately 51%) radiomic features had low variation, including 11 first-order features, 16 GLCM features, 6 GLRLM features and 5 GLSZM features. The differences in the mean vessel branch angles and 3 radiomic features (first-order entropy, GLCM-inverse variance and GLCM-sum entropy) were statistically significant among the three groups of samples. Conclusions ILPCI-CT may allow for morphologic descriptions and quantitative evaluation of vessel microstructures and parenchyma in human healthy liver, cirrhotic liver and HCC. Vessel branch angles and radiomic features extracted from liver parenchyma images can be used to distinguish the three kinds of liver tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghao Duan
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Qingtao Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Huipeng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Keqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Huajiang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hong Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, China
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19
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Luo Y, Yin X, Shi S, Ren X, Zhang H, Wang Z, Cao Y, Tang M, Xiao B, Zhang M. Non-destructive 3D Microtomography of Cerebral Angioarchitecture Changes Following Ischemic Stroke in Rats Using Synchrotron Radiation. Front Neuroanat 2019; 13:5. [PMID: 30766481 PMCID: PMC6365468 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2019.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of functional changes in the cerebral microvasculature following ischemic injury is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of stroke. Up to now, the simultaneous depiction and stereological analysis of 3D micro-architectural changes of brain vasculature with network disorders remains a technical challenge. We aimed to explore the three dimensional (3D) microstructural changes of microvasculature in the rat brain on 4, 6 hours, 3 and 18 days post-ischemia using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SRμCT) with a per pixel size of 5.2 μm. The plasticity of angioarchitecture was distinctly visualized. Quantitative assessments of time-related trends after focal ischemia, including number of branches, number of nodes, and frequency distribution of vessel diameter, reached a peak at 6 h and significantly decreased at 3 days and initiated to form cavities. The detected pathological changes were also proven by histological tests. We depicted a novel methodology for the 3D analysis of vascular repair in ischemic injury, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Cerebral angioarchitecture sustained 3D remodeling and modification during the healing process. The results might provide a deeper insight into the compensatory mechanisms of microvasculature after injury, suggesting that SRμCT is able to provide a potential new platform for deepening imaging pathological changes in complicated angioarchitecture and evaluating potential therapeutic targets for stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghong Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xianzhen Yin
- Center for Drug Delivery System, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shupeng Shi
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaolei Ren
- Department of Orthopaedics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuolu Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China.,Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yong Cao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mimi Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Institute of Hospital Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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20
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Synchrotron Radiation Imaging Reveals the Role of Estrogen in Promoting Angiogenesis After Acute Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018. [PMID: 29529001 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN The efficacy of estrogen on vessel angiogenesis in acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model was evaluated by synchrotron radiation. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigate the change in injured spinal cord vessels and used the synchrotron radiation to investigate the effect of estrogen on vessel angiogenesis and functional recovery in a rat model of SCI. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The promotion of angiogenesis after SCI may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of SCI. Estrogen has been reported to improve locomotor recovery after SCI. However, how estrogen regulates angiogenesis in acute SCI and enhances neurological functional recovery has not been fully characterized. METHODS Synchrotron radiation imaging combined with histological methods was used to image angiogenesis in acute spinal cord treatment with estrogen in rats. RESULTS Synchrotron radiation imaging vividly demonstrated three-dimensional vessel changes in the spinal cord after injury. The imaging showed that vessel number, vessel volume fraction, and vessel connectivity value in the groups treated with estrogen after SCI were significantly increased compared to control groups (P < 0.05). Vessel angiogenesis increased in groups treated with estrogen compared with control rats, which was confirmed with histological staining. Estrogen treatment also attenuated the injury-induced lesion area compared with control groups and improved locomotor functional recovery after SCI. CONCLUSION The results indicated that synchrotron radiation is a powerful imaging tool for visualizing angiogenesis after acute SCI. Estrogen treatment exerted a neuroprotective effect on acute SCI treatment by promoting angiogenesis and reducing the injury-induced lesion area could be recommended as a potential preclinical treatment approach for acute SCI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
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21
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Zhao Y, Sun M, Ji D, Cong C, Lv W, Zhao Q, Qin L, Jian J, Chen X, Hu C. An iterative image reconstruction algorithm combined with forward and backward diffusion filtering for in-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2018; 25:1450-1459. [PMID: 30179185 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577518009219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In-line X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (IL-PCCT) can reveal fine inner structures for low-Z materials (e.g. biological soft tissues), and shows high potential to become clinically applicable. Typically, IL-PCCT utilizes filtered back-projection (FBP) as the standard reconstruction algorithm. However, the FBP algorithm requires a large amount of projection data, and subsequently a large radiation dose is needed to reconstruct a high-quality image, which hampers its clinical application in IL-PCCT. In this study, an iterative reconstruction algorithm for IL-PCCT was proposed by combining the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) with eight-neighbour forward and backward (FAB8) diffusion filtering, and the reconstruction was performed using the Shepp-Logan phantom simulation and a real synchrotron IL-PCCT experiment. The results showed that the proposed algorithm was able to produce high-quality computed tomography images from few-view projections while improving the convergence rate of the computed tomography reconstruction, indicating that the proposed algorithm is an effective method of dose reduction for IL-PCCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyu Sun
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjiang Ji
- The School of Science, Tianjin University of Technology and Education, Tianjin 300222, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhong Cong
- The Dental Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Lv
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhao
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Qin
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbo Jian
- Radiation Oncology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Opto-electronic Information Technology, Ministry of Education (Tianjin University), Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhong Hu
- College of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, People's Republic of China
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22
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Optimising complementary soft tissue synchrotron X-ray microtomography for reversibly-stained central nervous system samples. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12017. [PMID: 30104610 PMCID: PMC6089931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30520-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchrotron radiation microtomography (SRμCT) is a nominally non-destructive 3D imaging technique which can visualise the internal structures of whole soft tissues. As a multi-stage technique, the cumulative benefits of optimising sample preparation, scanning parameters and signal processing can improve SRμCT imaging efficiency, image quality, accuracy and ultimately, data utility. By evaluating different sample preparations (embedding media, tissue stains), imaging (projection number, propagation distance) and reconstruction (artefact correction, phase retrieval) parameters, a novel methodology (combining reversible iodine stain, wax embedding and inline phase contrast) was optimised for fast (~12 minutes), high-resolution (3.2-4.8 μm diameter capillaries resolved) imaging of the full diameter of a 3.5 mm length of rat spinal cord. White-grey matter macro-features and micro-features such as motoneurons and capillary-level vasculature could then be completely segmented from the imaged volume for analysis through the shallow machine learning SuRVoS Workbench. Imaged spinal cord tissue was preserved for subsequent histology, establishing a complementary SRμCT methodology that can be applied to study spinal cord pathologies or other nervous system tissues such as ganglia, nerves and brain. Further, our 'single-scan iterative downsampling' approach and side-by-side comparisons of mounting options, sample stains and phase contrast parameters should inform efficient, effective future soft tissue SRμCT experiment design.
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23
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Morphometric Analysis of Rat Spinal Cord Angioarchitecture by Phase Contrast Radiography: From 2D to 3D Visualization. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2018; 43:E504-E511. [PMID: 28885295 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN An advanced imaging of vasculature with synchrotron radiation X-ray in a rat model. OBJECTIVE To develop the potential for quantitative assessment of vessel network from two-dimensional (2D) to 3D visualization by synchrotron radiation X-ray phase contrast tomography (XPCT) in rat spinal cord model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Investigation of microvasculature contributes to the understanding of pathological development of spinal cord injury. A few of X-ray imaging is available to visualize vascular architecture without usage of angiography or invasive casting preparation. METHODS A rat spinal cord injury model was produced by modified Allen method. Histomorphometric detection was simultaneously analyzed by both histology and XPCT from 2D to 3D visualization. The parameters including tissue lesion area, microvessel density, vessel diameter, and frequency distribution of vessel diameter were evaluated. RESULTS XPCT rendered the microvessels as small as capillary scale with a pixel size of 3.7 μm. It presented a high linear concordance for characterizing the 2D vascular morphometry compared with the histological staining (r = 0.8438). In the presence of spinal cord injury model, 3D construction quantified the significant angioarchitectural deficiency in the injury epicenter of cord lesion (P<0.01). CONCLUSION XPCT has a great potential to detect the smallest vascular network with pixel size up to micron dimension. It is inferred that the loss of abundant microvessels (≤40 μm) is responsible for local ischemia and neural dysfunction. XPCT holds a promise for morphometric analysis from 2D to 3D imaging in experimental model of neurovascular disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
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Huber E, David G, Thompson AJ, Weiskopf N, Mohammadi S, Freund P. Dorsal and ventral horn atrophy is associated with clinical outcome after spinal cord injury. Neurology 2018; 90:e1510-e1522. [PMID: 29592888 PMCID: PMC5921039 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000005361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether gray matter pathology above the level of injury, alongside white matter changes, also contributes to sensorimotor impairments after spinal cord injury. METHODS A 3T MRI protocol was acquired in 17 tetraplegic patients and 21 controls. A sagittal T2-weighted sequence was used to characterize lesion severity. At the C2-3 level, a high-resolution T2*-weighted sequence was used to assess cross-sectional areas of gray and white matter, including their subcompartments; a diffusion-weighted sequence was used to compute voxel-based diffusion indices. Regression models determined associations between lesion severity and tissue-specific neurodegeneration and associations between the latter with neurophysiologic and clinical outcome. RESULTS Neurodegeneration was evident within the dorsal and ventral horns and white matter above the level of injury. Tract-specific neurodegeneration was associated with prolonged conduction of appropriate electrophysiologic recordings. Dorsal horn atrophy was associated with sensory outcome, while ventral horn atrophy was associated with motor outcome. White matter integrity of dorsal columns and corticospinal tracts was associated with daily-life independence. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that, next to anterograde and retrograde degeneration of white matter tracts, neuronal circuits within the spinal cord far above the level of injury undergo transsynaptic neurodegeneration, resulting in specific gray matter changes. Such improved understanding of tissue-specific cord pathology offers potential biomarkers with more efficient targeting and monitoring of neuroregenerative (i.e., white matter) and neuroprotective (i.e., gray matter) agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline Huber
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Gergely David
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Alan J Thompson
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Siawoosh Mohammadi
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Freund
- From the Spinal Cord Injury Center (E.H., G.D., P.F.), Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (A.J.T., P.F.) and Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (N.W., S.M., P.F.), UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK; Department of Neurophysics (N.W., P.F.), Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; and Department of Systems Neuroscience (S.M.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
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