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Chen J, Zeng X, Wang L, Zhang W, Li G, Cheng X, Su P, Wan Y, Li X. Mutual regulation of microglia and astrocytes after Gas6 inhibits spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:557-573. [PMID: 38819067 PMCID: PMC11317951 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202502000-00032/figure1/v/2024-05-28T214302Z/r/image-tiff Invasive inflammation and excessive scar formation are the main reasons for the difficulty in repairing nervous tissue after spinal cord injury. Microglia and astrocytes play key roles in the spinal cord injury micro-environment and share a close interaction. However, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we found that after spinal cord injury, resting microglia (M0) were polarized into pro-inflammatory phenotypes (MG1 and MG3), while resting astrocytes were polarized into reactive and scar-forming phenotypes. The expression of growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) and its receptor Axl were significantly down-regulated in microglia and astrocytes after spinal cord injury. In vitro experiments showed that Gas6 had negative effects on the polarization of reactive astrocytes and pro-inflammatory microglia, and even inhibited the cross-regulation between them. We further demonstrated that Gas6 can inhibit the polarization of reactive astrocytes by suppressing the activation of the Yes-associated protein signaling pathway. This, in turn, inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia by suppressing the activation of the nuclear factor-κB/p65 and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways. In vivo experiments showed that Gas6 inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia and reactive astrocytes in the injured spinal cord, thereby promoting tissue repair and motor function recovery. Overall, Gas6 may play a role in the treatment of spinal cord injury. It can inhibit the inflammatory pathway of microglia and polarization of astrocytes, attenuate the interaction between microglia and astrocytes in the inflammatory microenvironment, and thereby alleviate local inflammation and reduce scar formation in the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaolin Zeng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenwu Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xing Cheng
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Peiqiang Su
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong Wan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Li C, Luo Y, Li S. The roles of neural stem cells in myelin regeneration and repair therapy after spinal cord injury. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:204. [PMID: 38978125 PMCID: PMC11232222 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03825-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex tissue injury that results in a wide range of physical deficits, including permanent or progressive disabilities of sensory, motor and autonomic functions. To date, limitations in current clinical treatment options can leave SCI patients with lifelong disabilities. There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for reconstructing the damaged spinal cord neuron-glia network and restoring connectivity with the supraspinal pathways. Neural stem cells (NSCs) possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into neurons and neuroglia, including oligodendrocytes, which are cells responsible for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath and the regeneration of demyelinated axons. For these properties, NSCs are considered to be a promising cell source for rebuilding damaged neural circuits and promoting myelin regeneration. Over the past decade, transplantation of NSCs has been extensively tested in a variety of preclinical models of SCI. This review aims to highlight the pathophysiology of SCI and promote the understanding of the role of NSCs in SCI repair therapy and the current advances in pathological mechanism, pre-clinical studies, as well as clinical trials of SCI via NSC transplantation therapeutic strategy. Understanding and mastering these frontier updates will pave the way for establishing novel therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of recovery from SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Li
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yuping Luo
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
- Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Siguang Li
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China.
- Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China.
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Shang WY, Ren YF, Li B, Huang XM, Zhang ZL, Huang J. Efficacy of growth factor gene-modified stem cells for motor function after spinal cord injury in rodents: a systematic review and meta‑analysis. Neurosurg Rev 2024; 47:87. [PMID: 38369598 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of growth factor gene-modified stem cells in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of growth factor gene-modified stem cells in restoring motor function after SCI. Two reviewers searched four databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, to identify relevant records. Studies on rodents assessing the efficacy of transplanting growth factor gene-modified stem cells in restoring motor function after SCI were included. The results were reported using the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Analyses showed that growth factor gene-modified stem cell transplantation improved motor function recovery in rodents with SCI compared to the untreated (SMD = 3.98, 95% CI 3.26-4.70, I2 = 86.8%, P < 0.0001) and stem cell (SMD = 2.53, 95% CI 1.93-3.13, I2 = 86.9%, P < 0.0001) groups. Using growth factor gene-modified neural stem/histone cells enhanced treatment efficacy. In addition, the effectiveness increased when viral vectors were employed for gene modification and high transplantation doses were administered during the subacute phase. Stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord exhibited an advantage in motor function recovery. However, the transplantation of growth factor gene-modified stem cells did not significantly improve motor function in male rodents (P = 0.136). Transplantation of growth factor gene-modified stem cells improved motor function in rodents after SCI, but claims of enhanced efficacy should be approached with caution. The safety of gene modification remains a significant concern, requiring additional efforts to enhance its clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ya Shang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Feng Ren
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Bing Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Zhi-Lan Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Lin J, Lin Y, Zhu S, Luo J, Zhou C. Transplantation of Wnt3a-modified neural stem cells promotes neural regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury via Wnt-Gli2 pathway. Neuroreport 2024; 35:27-36. [PMID: 37983663 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation has great potential in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Previous studies have indicated that the Wnt pathway could regulate the expression of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family factor Hes5 and Mash1 in NSCs, but not through the notch intracellular domain. This suggests that there are other signals involved in this process. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Wnt-Gli2 pathway in the treatment of SCI by transplanting neural stem cells. NSCs were isolated from the striata of embryonic day 14 mice. Activation of the Wnt pathway was achieved using Wnt3a protein, while Gli2 was inhibited using Gli2-siRNA. Expression levels of Gli2 and bHLH factors were assessed using western blotting. NSCs proliferation was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, and neural differentiation was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Finally, the modified NSCs were transplanted into mice with SCI, and their effects were assessed using behavioral and histological tests. Our results demonstrated that Wnt3a promoted the expression of Mash1 through Gli2. Moreover, the expression of Ngn1 and Hes1 was up-regulated, while Hes5 was down-regulated. Wnt3a also promoted NSCs proliferation and neural differentiation through this signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed that NSCs transplantation mediated by Wnt3a-Gli2 signaling increased the number of neurons and resulted in improved Basso Mouse Scale scores. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Gli2 plays a role in mediating the regulation of Wnt3a signaling on promoting NSCs proliferation and neural differentiation. This pathway is therefore important in NSCs-mediated SCI recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiezhao Lin
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou
| | - Yucong Lin
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou
| | - Shuangfang Zhu
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinzhou Luo
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou
| | - Chusong Zhou
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou
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