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Coyoy-Salgado A, Orozco-Barrios C, Sánchez-Torres S, Olayo MG, Cruz GJ, Morales-Corona J, Olayo R, Diaz-Ruiz A, Ríos C, Alvarez-Mejia L, Mondragón-Lozano R, Morales-Guadarrama A, Alonso-García AL, Fabela-Sánchez O, Salgado-Ceballos H. Gene expression and locomotor recovery in adult rats with spinal cord injury and plasma-synthesized polypyrrole/iodine application combined with a mixed rehabilitation scheme. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1124245. [PMID: 37288064 PMCID: PMC10243140 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1124245] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause paralysis, for which effective therapeutic strategies have not been developed yet. The only accepted strategy for patients is rehabilitation (RB), although this does not allow complete recovery of lost functions, which makes it necessary to combine it with strategies such as plasma-synthesized polypyrrole/iodine (PPy/I), a biopolymer with different physicochemical properties than PPy synthesized by conventional methods. After SCI in rats, PPy/I promotes functional recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to increase the beneficial effects of both strategies and identify which genes activate PPy/I when applied alone or in combination with a mixed scheme of RB by swimming and enriched environment (SW/EE) in rats with SCI. Methods Microarray analysis was performed to identify mechanisms of action underlying the effects of PPy/I and PPy/I+SW/EE on motor function recovery as evaluated by the BBB scale. Results Results showed robust upregulation by PPy/I in genes related to the developmental process, biogenesis, synapse, and synaptic vesicle trafficking. In addition, PPy/I+SW/EE increased the expression of genes related to proliferation, biogenesis, cell development, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, neurogenesis, neuron development, and synapse formation processes. Immunofluorescence analysis showed the expression of β-III tubulin in all groups, a decreased expression of caspase-3 in the PPy/I group and GFAP in the PPy/I+SW/EE group (p < 0.05). Better preservation of nerve tissue was observed in PPy/I and PPy/SW/EE groups (p < 0.05). In the BBB scale, the control group scored 1.72 ± 0.41, animals with PPy/I treatment scored 4.23 ± 0.33, and those with PPy/I+SW/EE scored 9.13 ± 0.43 1 month after follow-up. Conclusion Thus, PPy/I+SW/EE could represent a therapeutic alternative for motor function recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica Coyoy-Salgado
- Researchers for Mexico CONACyT-Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Orozco-Barrios
- Researchers for Mexico CONACyT-Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Stephanie Sánchez-Torres
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Guadalupe Olayo
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Department of Physics, Axapusco, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Jesus Cruz
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Department of Physics, Axapusco, Mexico
| | - Juan Morales-Corona
- Department of Physics, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Roberto Olayo
- Department of Physics, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Araceli Diaz-Ruiz
- Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez S.S.A., Department of Neurochemistry, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Camilo Ríos
- Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez S.S.A., Department of Neurochemistry, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Alvarez-Mejia
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodrigo Mondragón-Lozano
- Researchers for Mexico CONACyT-Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Axayacatl Morales-Guadarrama
- Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
- National Center for Research in Imaging and Medical Instrumentation, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Omar Fabela-Sánchez
- Researchers for Mexico CONACyT-Centro de Investigación en Química Aplicada, Department of Chemistry Macromolecules and Nanomaterials, Saltillo, Mexico
| | - Hermelinda Salgado-Ceballos
- Research Center of the Proyecto CAMINA A.C., Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Medical Research Unit in Neurological Diseases, Specialty Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexico City, Mexico
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Heinzel JC, Oberhauser V, Keibl C, Schädl B, Swiadek NV, Längle G, Frick H, Slezak C, Prahm C, Grillari J, Kolbenschlag J, Hercher D. ESWT Diminishes Axonal Regeneration following Repair of the Rat Median Nerve with Muscle-In-Vein Conduits but Not after Autologous Nerve Grafting. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081777. [PMID: 35892677 PMCID: PMC9394363 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations reporting positive effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on nerve regeneration are limited to the rat sciatic nerve model. The effects of ESWT on muscle-in-vein conduits (MVCs) have also not been investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ESWT after repair of the rat median nerve with either autografts (ANGs) or MVCs. In male Lewis rats, a 7 mm segment of the right median nerve was reconstructed either with an ANG or an MVC. For each reconstructive technique, one group of animals received one application of ESWT while the other rats served as controls. The animals were observed for 12 weeks, and nerve regeneration was assessed using computerized gait analysis, the grasping test, electrophysiological evaluations and histological quantification of axons, blood vessels and lymphatic vasculature. Here, we provide for the first time a comprehensive analysis of ESWT effects on nerve regeneration in a rat model of median nerve injury. Furthermore, this study is among the first reporting the quantification of lymphatic vessels following peripheral nerve injury and reconstruction in vivo. While we found no significant direct positive effects of ESWT on peripheral nerve regeneration, results following nerve repair with MVCs were significantly inferior to those after ANG repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C. Heinzel
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (J.C.H.); (C.P.); (J.K.)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Oberhauser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Keibl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Schädl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Core Facility Morphology, University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole V. Swiadek
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Längle
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helen Frick
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Cyrill Slezak
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physics, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT 84058, USA
| | - Cosima Prahm
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (J.C.H.); (C.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Johannes Grillari
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, BOKU—University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonas Kolbenschlag
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (J.C.H.); (C.P.); (J.K.)
| | - David Hercher
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria; (V.O.); (C.K.); (B.S.); (N.V.S.); (G.L.); (H.F.); (C.S.); (J.G.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence:
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3
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Stewart AN, Lowe JL, Glaser EP, Mott CA, Shahidehpour RK, McFarlane KE, Bailey WM, Zhang B, Gensel JC. Acute inflammatory profiles differ with sex and age after spinal cord injury. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:113. [PMID: 33985529 PMCID: PMC8120918 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02161-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sex and age are emerging as influential variables that affect spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery. Despite a changing demographic towards older age at the time of SCI, the effects of sex or age on inflammation remain to be elucidated. This study determined the sex- and age-dependency of the innate immune response acutely after SCI. Methods Male and female mice of ages 4- and 14-month-old received T9 contusion SCI and the proportion of microglia, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), and neutrophils surrounding the lesion were determined at 3- and 7-day post-injury (DPI) using flow cytometry. Cell counts of microglia and MDMs were obtained using immunohistochemistry to verify flow cytometry results at 3-DPI. Microglia and MDMs were separately isolated using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) at 3-day post-injury (DPI) to assess RNA expression of 27 genes associated with activation, redox, and debris metabolism/clearance. Results Flow cytometry revealed that being female and older at the time of injury significantly increased MDMs relative to other phagocytes, specifically increasing the ratio of MDMs to microglia at 3-DPI. Cell counts using immunohistochemistry revealed that male mice have more total microglia within SCI lesions that can account for a lower MDM/microglia ratio. With NanoString analyses of 27 genes, only 1 was differentially expressed between sexes in MDMs; specifically, complement protein C1qa was increased in males. No genes were affected by age in MDMs. Only 2 genes were differentially regulated in microglia between sexes after controlling for false discovery rate, specifically CYBB (NOX2) as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated marker as well as MRC1 (CD206), a gene associated with reparative phenotypes. Both genes were increased in female microglia. No microglial genes were differentially regulated between ages. Differences between microglia and MDMs were found in 26 of 27 genes analyzed, all expressed higher in MDMs with three exceptions. Specifically, C1qa, cPLA2, and CD86 were expressed higher in microglia. Conclusions These findings indicate that inflammatory responses to SCI are sex-dependent at both the level of cellular recruitment and gene expression. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02161-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Stewart
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - John L Lowe
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Science Honors Program of Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY, 40324, USA
| | - Ethan P Glaser
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Caitlin A Mott
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Ryan K Shahidehpour
- Department of Neuroscience, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Katelyn E McFarlane
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - William M Bailey
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.,Present address: Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - John C Gensel
- Department of Physiology, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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4
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Heinzel JC, Oberhauser V, Keibl C, Swiadek N, Längle G, Frick H, Kolbenschlag J, Prahm C, Grillari J, Hercher D. Evaluation of Functional Recovery in Rats After Median Nerve Resection and Autograft Repair Using Computerized Gait Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:593545. [PMID: 33551723 PMCID: PMC7859340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.593545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Computerized gait analysis is a common evaluation method in rat models of hind limb nerve injuries, but its use remains unpublished in models of segmental nerve injury of the forelimb. It was the aim of this work to investigate if computerized gait analysis is a feasible evaluation method in a rat model of segmental median nerve injury and autograft repair. Ten male Lewis rats underwent 7-mm resection of the right median nerve with immediate autograft repair. The left median nerve was resected without repair and served as an internal control. Animals were assessed for 12 weeks after surgery via CatWalk (CW) gait analysis every 2 weeks. Evaluation of motor recovery by means of the grasping test was performed weekly while electrophysiological measurements were performed at the end of the observation period. CW data were correlated with grasping strength at each post-operative time point. CW data were also correlated with electrophysiology using linear regression analysis. Principal component analysis was performed to identify clusters of outcome metrics. Recovery of motor function was observable 4 weeks after surgery, but grasping strength was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) compared to baseline values until post-operative week 6. In terms of sensory recovery, the pain-related parameter Duty Cycle showed significant (p < 0.05) recovery starting from post-operative week 8. The Print Area of the right paw was significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the left side starting from post-operative week 10. Various parameters of gait correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with mean and maximum grasping strength. However, only Stand Index showed a significant correlation with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude (p < 0.05). With this work, we prove that computerized gait analysis is a valid and feasible method to evaluate functional recovery after autograft repair of the rat median nerve. We were able to identify parameters such as Print Area, Duty Cycle, and Stand Index, which allow assessment of nerve regeneration. The course of these parameters following nerve resection without repair was also assessed. Additionally, external paw rotation was identified as a valid parameter to evaluate motor reinnervation. In summary, computerized gait analysis is a valuable additional tool to study nerve regeneration in rats with median nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C Heinzel
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Oberhauser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Keibl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Swiadek
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Längle
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helen Frick
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonas Kolbenschlag
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Cosima Prahm
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Grillari
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Hercher
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Stewart AN, MacLean SM, Stromberg AJ, Whelan JP, Bailey WM, Gensel JC, Wilson ME. Considerations for Studying Sex as a Biological Variable in Spinal Cord Injury. Front Neurol 2020; 11:802. [PMID: 32849242 PMCID: PMC7419700 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to NIH initiatives to investigate sex as a biological variable in preclinical animal studies, researchers have increased their focus on male and female differences in neurotrauma. Inclusion of both sexes when modeling neurotrauma is leading to the identification of novel areas for therapeutic and scientific exploitation. Here, we review the organizational and activational effects of sex hormones on recovery from injury and how these changes impact the long-term health of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. When determining how sex affects SCI it remains imperative to expand outcomes beyond locomotor recovery and consider other complications plaguing the quality of life of patients with SCI. Interestingly, the SCI field predominately utilizes female rodents for basic science research which contrasts most other male-biased research fields. We discuss the unique caveats this creates to the translatability of preclinical research in the SCI field. We also review current clinical and preclinical data examining sex as biological variable in SCI. Further, we report how technical considerations such as housing, size, care management, and age, confound the interpretation of sex-specific effects in animal studies of SCI. We have uncovered novel findings regarding how age differentially affects mortality and injury-induced anemia in males and females after SCI, and further identified estrus cycle dysfunction in mice after injury. Emerging concepts underlying sexually dimorphic responses to therapy are also discussed. Through a combination of literature review and primary research observations we present a practical guide for considering and incorporating sex as biological variable in preclinical neurotrauma studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Stewart
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Steven M MacLean
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Arnold J Stromberg
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jessica P Whelan
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - William M Bailey
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - John C Gensel
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Melinda E Wilson
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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6
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McFarlane K, Otto TE, Bailey WM, Veldhorst AK, Donahue RR, Taylor BK, Gensel JC. Effect of Sex on Motor Function, Lesion Size, and Neuropathic Pain after Contusion Spinal Cord Injury in Mice. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:1983-1990. [PMID: 32597310 PMCID: PMC7470221 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes neurodegeneration, impairs locomotor function, and impacts the quality of life particularly in those individuals in whom neuropathic pain develops. Whether the time course of neurodegeneration, locomotor impairment, or neuropathic pain varies with sex, however, remains understudied. Therefore, the objective of this study in male and female C57BL/6 mice was to evaluate the following outcomes for six weeks after a 75-kdyn thoracic contusion SCI: locomotor function using the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS); spinal cord tissue sparing and rostral-caudal lesion length; and mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia using hindpaw application of Von Frey filaments or radiant heat stimuli, respectively. Although motor function was largely similar between sexes, all of the males, but only half of the females, recovered plantar stepping. Rostral-caudal lesion length was shorter in females than in males. Mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia after SCI developed in all animals, regardless of sex; there were no differences in pain outcomes between sexes. We conclude that contusion SCI yields subtle sex differences in mice depending on the outcome measure but no significant differences in behavioral signs of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn McFarlane
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Taylor E Otto
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - William M Bailey
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Amy K Veldhorst
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Renée R Donahue
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Bradley K Taylor
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, and Pittsburgh Project to End Opioid Misuse, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John C Gensel
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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7
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Timotius IK, Canneva F, Minakaki G, Moceri S, Plank AC, Casadei N, Riess O, Winkler J, Klucken J, Eskofier B, von Hörsten S. Systematic data analysis and data mining in CatWalk gait analysis by heat mapping exemplified in rodent models for neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 326:108367. [PMID: 31351096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor impairment appears as a characteristic symptom of several diseases and injuries. Therefore, tests for analyzing motor dysfunction are widely applied across preclinical models and disease stages. Among those, gait analysis tests are commonly used, but they generate a huge number of gait parameters. Thus, complications in data analysis and reporting raise, which often leads to premature parameter selection. NEW METHODS In order to avoid arbitrary parameter selection, we present here a systematic initial data analysis by utilizing heat-maps for data reporting. We exemplified this approach within an intervention study, as well as applied it to two longitudinal studies in rodent models related to Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington disease (HD). RESULTS The systematic initial data analysis (IDA) is feasible for exploring gait parameters, both in experimental and longitudinal studies. The resulting heat maps provided a visualization of gait parameters within a single chart, highlighting important clusters of differences. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD Often, premature parameter selection is practiced, lacking comprehensiveness. Researchers often use multiple separated graphs on distinct gait parameters for reporting. Additionally, negative results are often not reported. CONCLUSIONS Heat mapping utilized in initial data analysis is advantageous for reporting clustered gait parameter differences in one single chart and improves data mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna K Timotius
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany; Dept. of Electronics Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesia
| | - Fabio Canneva
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Georgia Minakaki
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Sandra Moceri
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Anne-Christine Plank
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Jochen Klucken
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Bjoern Eskofier
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.
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Dienes JA, Hu X, Janson KD, Slater C, Dooley EA, Christ GJ, Russell SD. Analysis and Modeling of Rat Gait Biomechanical Deficits in Response to Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:146. [PMID: 31275932 PMCID: PMC6593045 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently a substantial volume of research underway to develop more effective approaches for the regeneration of functional muscle tissue as treatment for volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury, but few studies have evaluated the relationship between injury and the biomechanics required for normal function. To address this knowledge gap, the goal of this study was to develop a novel method to quantify the changes in gait of rats with tibialis anterior (TA) VML injuries. This method should be sensitive enough to identify biomechanical and kinematic changes in response to injury as well as during recovery. Control rats and rats with surgically-created VML injuries were affixed with motion capture markers on the bony landmarks of the back and hindlimb and were recorded walking on a treadmill both prior to and post-surgery. Data collected from the motion capture system was exported for post-hoc analysis in OpenSim and Matlab. In vivo force testing indicated that the VML injury was associated with a significant deficit in force generation ability. Analysis of joint kinematics showed significant differences at all three post-surgical timepoints and gait cycle phase shifting, indicating augmented gait biomechanics in response to VML injury. In conclusion, this method identifies and quantifies key differences in the gait biomechanics and joint kinematics of rats with VML injuries and allows for analysis of the response to injury and recovery. The comprehensive nature of this method opens the door for future studies into dynamics and musculoskeletal control of injured gait that can inform the development of regenerative technologies focused on the functional metrics that are most relevant to recovery from VML injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Dienes
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Xiao Hu
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kevin D Janson
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Conrad Slater
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Emily A Dooley
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - George J Christ
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Shawn D Russell
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.,Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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