L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule Overexpression Down Regulates Phosphacan and Up Regulates Structural Plasticity-Related Genes Rostral and Caudal to the Complete Spinal Cord Transection

Transcriptome profile analysis in spinal cord injury rats with transplantation of menstrual blood-derived stem cells

Introduction

Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) are vital in treating many degenerative and traumatic disorders. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure in MenSCs-treating spinal cord injury (SCI) rats.

Methods

MenSCs were adopted into the injured sites of rat spinal cords at day 7 post surgery and the tissues were harvested for total RNA sequencing analysis at day 21 after surgery to investigate the expression patterns of RNAs. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed with volcano and heatmap plot. DEGs were sequentially analyzed by weighted gene co-expression network, functional enrichment, and competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network analysis. Next, expression of selected miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics packages and extra databases were enrolled to scoop the genes functions and their interaction relationships.

Results

A total of 89 lncRNAs, 65 circRNAs, 120 miRNAs and 422 mRNAs were significantly upregulated and 65 lncRNAs, 72 circRNAs, 74 miRNAs, and 190 mRNAs were significantly downregulated in the MenSCs treated rats compared to SCI ones. Current investigation revealed that MenSCs treatment improve the recovery of the injured rats and the most significantly involved pathways in SCI regeneration were cell adhesion molecules, nature killer cell mediated cytotoxicity, primary immunodeficiency, chemokine signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway and B cell receptor signaling pathway. Moreover, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network of SCI was constructed. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the top 100 DE mRNAs. The constructed PPI network included 47 nodes and 70 edges.

Discussion

In summary, the above results revealed the expression profile and potential functions of differentially expressed (DE) RNAs in the injured spinal cords of rats in the MenSCs-treated and SCI groups, and this study may provide new clues to understand the mechanisms of MenSCs in treating SCI.

The Time Sequence of Gene Expression Changes after Spinal Cord Injury

Gene expression changes following spinal cord injury (SCI) are time-dependent, and an accurate understanding of these changes can be crucial in determining time-based treatment options in a clinical setting. We performed RNA sequencing of the contused spinal cord of rats at five different time points from the very acute to chronic stages (1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months) following SCI. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and Gene Ontology (GO) terms at each time point, and 14,257 genes were commonly expressed at all time points. The biological process of the inflammatory response was increased at 1 hour and 1 day, and the cellular component of the integral component of the synaptic membrane was increased at 1 day. DEGs associated with cell activation and the innate immune response were highly enriched at 1 week and 1 month, respectively. A total of 2841 DEGs were differentially expressed at any of the five time points, and 18 genes (17 upregulated and 1 downregulated) showed common expression differences at all time points. We found that interleukin signaling, neutrophil degranulation, eukaryotic translation, collagen degradation, LGI–ADAM interactions, GABA receptor, and L1CAM-ankyrin interactions were prominent after SCI depending on the time post injury. We also performed gene–drug network analysis and found several potential antagonists and agonists which can be used to treat SCI. We expect to discover effective treatments in the clinical field through further studies revealing the efficacy and safety of potential drugs.

The use of viral vectors to promote repair after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that can permanently disrupt multiple modalities. Unfortunately, the combination of the inhibitory environment at a central nervous system (CNS) injury site and the diminished intrinsic capacity of adult axons for growth results in the failure for robust axonal regeneration, limiting the ability for repair. Delivering genetic material that can either positively or negatively modulate gene expression has the potential to counter the obstacles that hinder axon growth within the spinal cord after injury. A popular gene therapy method is to deliver the genetic material using viral vectors. There are considerations when deciding on a viral vector approach for a particular application, including the type of vector, as well as serotypes, and promoters. In this review, we will discuss some of the aspects to consider when utilizing a viral vector approach to as a therapy for SCI. Additionally, we will discuss some recent applications of gene therapy to target extrinsic and/or intrinsic barriers to promote axon regeneration after SCI in preclinical models. While still in early stages, this approach has potential to treat those living with SCI.

Myelin basic protein enhances axonal regeneration from neural progenitor cells

Introduction

Stem cell therapy using neural progenitor cells (NPCs) shows promise in mitigating the debilitating effects of spinal cord injury (SCI). Notably, myelin stimulates axonal regeneration from mammalian NPCs. This led us to hypothesize that myelin-associated proteins may contribute to axonal regeneration from NPCs.

Methods

We conducted an R-based bioinformatics analysis to identify key gene(s) that may participate in myelin-associated axonal regeneration from murine NPCs, which identified the serine protease myelin basic protein (Mbp). We employed E12 murine NPCs, E14 rat NPCs, and human iPSC-derived Day 1 NPCs (D1 hNPCs) with or without CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Mbp knockout in combination with rescue L1-70 overexpression, constitutively-active VP16-PPARγ2, or the PPARγ agonist ciglitazone. A murine dorsal column crush model of SCI utilizing porous collagen-based scaffolding (PCS)-seeded murine NPCs with or without stable Mbp overexpression was used to assess locomotive recovery and axonal regeneration in vivo.

Results

Myelin promotes axonal outgrowth from NPCs in an Mbp-dependent manner and that Mbp’s stimulatory effects on NPC neurite outgrowth are mediated by Mbp’s production of L1-70. Furthermore, we determined that Mbp/L1-70’s stimulatory effects on NPC neurite outgrowth are mediated by PPARγ-based repression of neuron differentiation-associated gene expression and PPARγ-based Erk1/2 activation. In vivo, PCS-seeded murine NPCs stably overexpressing Mbp significantly enhanced locomotive recovery and axonal regeneration in post-SCI mice.

Conclusions

We discovered that Mbp supports axonal regeneration from mammalian NPCs through the novel Mbp/L1cam/Pparγ signaling pathway. This study suggests that bioengineered, NPC-based interventions can promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery post-SCI.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00584-7.

Use of Gene Therapy in Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection: Current Concepts and Future Directions

We systematically reviewed published translational research on gene-based therapy for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neuroprotection. A search was conducted on Entrez PubMed on 23 December 2020 using the keywords "gene therapy", "retinal ganglion cell" and "neuroprotection". The initial search yielded 82 relevant articles. After restricting publications to those with full text available and in the English language, and then curating for only original articles on gene-based therapy, the final yield was 18 relevant articles. From the 18 papers, 17 of the papers utilized an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector for gene therapy encoding specific genes of interest. Specifically, six of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding erythropoietin (EPO), the remaining 10 papers utilized AAV vectors encoding different genes and one microRNA study. Although the literature shows promising results in both in vivo and in vitro models, there is still a significant way to go before gene-based therapy for RGC neuroprotection can proceed to clinical trials. Namely, the models of injury in many of the studies were more acute in nature, unlike the more progressive and neurodegenerative pathophysiology of diseases, such as glaucoma. The regulation of gene expression is also highly unexplored despite the use of AAV vectors in the majority of the studies reviewed. It is also expected that with the successful launch of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccinations in 2020, we will see a shift towards this technology for gene-based therapy in glaucoma neuroprotection.

Neuroprotection of Retinal Ganglion Cells with AAV2-BDNF Pretreatment Restoring Normal TrkB Receptor Protein Levels in Glaucoma

Intravitreal delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by injection of recombinant protein or by gene therapy can alleviate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss after optic nerve injury (ONI) or laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). In models of glaucoma, BDNF therapy can delay or halt RGCs loss, but this protection is time-limited. The decreased efficacy of BDNF supplementation has been in part attributed to BDNF TrkB receptor downregulation. However, whether BDNF overexpression causes TrkB downregulation, impairing long-term BDNF signaling in the retina, has not been conclusively proven. After ONI or OHT, when increased retinal BDNF was detected, a concomitant increase, no change or a decrease in TrkB was reported. We examined quantitatively the retinal concentrations of the TrkB protein in relation to BDNF, in a course of adeno-associated viral vector gene therapy (AAV2-BDNF), using a microbead trabecular occlusion model of glaucoma. We show that unilateral glaucoma, with intraocular pressure ( IOP) increased for five weeks, leads to a bilateral decrease of BDNF in the retina at six weeks, accompanied by up to four-fold TrkB upregulation, while a moderate BDNF overexpression in a glaucomatous eye triggers changes that restore normal TrkB concentrations, driving signaling towards long-term RGCs neuroprotection. We conclude that for glaucoma therapy, the careful selection of the appropriate BDNF concentration is the main factor securing the long-term responsiveness of RGCs and the maintenance of normal TrkB levels.

Enhanced Neural Regeneration with a Concomitant Treatment of Framework Nucleic Acid and Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI), began with a primary injury including contusion and compression, is a common disease caused by various pathogenesis. Characterized disruption of axons and irreversible loss of neurons in SCI, and further damage in spinal cord tissue caused by following secondary injuries, such as the formation of glial scar and inflammation, makes it even harder to recover for affected patients. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA), which possesses the capability of promoting neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in vitro, might alleviate the injuries, and facilitate the neural tissue regeneration in experimental animal models of SCI. Here, we developed a concomitant treatment of tFNA and neural stem cells (NSCs) for the synergistic therapy in treating the injury of the spinal cord. We first observed that tFNA could promote cell proliferation of NSCs then verified that the concomitant treatment of tFNA and NSCs showed the neuroprotective actions by increasing the survival of transplanted NSCs. Furthermore, the recovery of motor function and the tissue regeneration in the lesion site of the spinal cord achieved the best performance in the SCI rats treated with the combination of tFNA and NSCs than others, and the formation of glial scar was the least. Our findings provide novel evidence of a promising strategy for synergistic treatment of SCI in the future.