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Zhao Y, Zhong Y, Chen W, Chang S, Cao Q, Wang Y, Yang L. Ocular and neural genes jointly regulate the visuospatial working memory in ADHD children. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2023; 19:14. [PMID: 37658396 PMCID: PMC10472596 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-023-00216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Working memory (WM) deficits have frequently been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite previous studies suggested its high heritability, its genetic basis, especially in ADHD, remains unclear. The current study aimed to comprehensively explore the genetic basis of visual-spatial working memory (VSWM) in ADHD using wide-ranging genetic analyses. METHODS The current study recruited a cohort consisted of 802 ADHD individuals, all met DSM-IV ADHD diagnostic criteria. VSWM was assessed by Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (RCFT), which is a widely used psychological test include four memory indexes: detail delayed (DD), structure delayed (SD), structure immediate (SI), detail immediate (DI). Genetic analyses were conducted at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), gene, pathway, polygenic and protein network levels. Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) were based on summary statistics of various psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), and substance use disorder (SUD). RESULTS Analyses at the single-marker level did not yield significant results (5E-08). However, the potential signals with P values less than E-05 and their mapped genes suggested the regulation of VSWM involved both ocular and neural system related genes, moreover, ADHD-related genes were also involved. The gene-based analysis found RAB11FIP1, whose encoded protein modulates several neurodevelopment processes and visual system, as significantly associated with DD scores (P = 1.96E-06, Padj = 0.036). Candidate pathway enrichment analyses (N = 53) found that forebrain neuron fate commitment significantly enriched in DD (P = 4.78E-04, Padj = 0.025), and dopamine transport enriched in SD (P = 5.90E-04, Padj = 0.031). We also observed a significant negative relationship between DD scores and ADHD PRS scores (P = 0.0025, Empirical P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS Our results emphasized the joint contribution of ocular and neural genes in regulating VSWM. The study reveals a shared genetic basis between ADHD and VSWM, with GWAS indicating the involvement of ADHD-related genes in VSWM. Additionally, the PRS analysis identifies a significant relationship between ADHD-PRS and DD scores. Overall, our findings shed light on the genetic basis of VSWM deficits in ADHD, and may have important implications for future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilu Zhao
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yuanxin Zhong
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
- Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Mental Health, The Center of Psychosomatic Medicine of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Suhua Chang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qingjiu Cao
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li Yang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital), NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), 51 Huayuan Bei Road, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Tu WY, Xu W, Zhang J, Qi S, Bai L, Shen C, Zhang K. C9orf72 poly-GA proteins impair neuromuscular transmission. Zool Res 2023; 44:331-340. [PMID: 36799225 PMCID: PMC10083233 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motoneuron disease, in which lower motoneurons lose control of skeletal muscles. Degeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) occurs at the initial stage of ALS. Dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) from G4C2 repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation are known to cause C9orf72-associated ALS (C9-ALS). However, DPR inclusion burdens are weakly correlated with neurodegenerative areas in C9-ALS patients, indicating that DPRs may exert cell non-autonomous effects, in addition to the known intracellular pathological mechanisms. Here, we report that poly-GA, the most abundant form of DPR in C9-ALS, is released from cells. Local administration of poly-GA proteins in peripheral synaptic regions causes muscle weakness and impaired neuromuscular transmission in vivo. The NMJ structure cannot be maintained, as evidenced by the fragmentation of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters and distortion of presynaptic nerve terminals. Mechanistic study demonstrated that extracellular poly-GA sequesters soluble Agrin ligands and inhibits Agrin-MuSK signaling. Our findings provide a novel cell non-autonomous mechanism by which poly-GA impairs NMJs in C9-ALS. Thus, targeting NMJs could be an early therapeutic intervention for C9-ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yo Tu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Shuyuan Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Lei Bai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
| | - Chengyong Shen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China
- MOE Frontier Science, Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China. E-mail:
| | - Kejing Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Department of Neurobiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310020, China. E-mail:
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Krüppel-like Factor 7 inhibits proliferation and migration of pulmonary smooth muscle cells via p21 activation. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 940:175473. [PMID: 36566916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175473] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are critical contributors to the pulmonary vascular remodeling that occurs during the development of Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Krüppel-like Factor 7 (KLF7) has been reported to be involved in the development of certain cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of KLF7 in PAH remains unknown. Here, we aimed to explore whether KLF7 mediates the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and its underlying mechanism. In this study, Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 60 mg/kg monocrotaline (MCT) for 3 weeks to induce PAH and human PASMCs were stimulated with 20 ng/ml platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) for 24 h to induce proliferation and migration. The mRNA and protein expression of KLF7 were significantly down-regulated in MCT-induced PAH rats and PDGF-BB-treated PASMCs. Under normal conditions, KLF7 knockdown obviously promoted PASMCs proliferation and migration, whereas KLF7 overexpression exhibited the opposite effects. Furthermore, PDGF-BB promoted the PASMCs proliferation and migration, increased the cell proportion in S phase, which was significantly attenuated by overexpression of KLF7. Mechanistic investigation indicated that KLF7 through activation its target protein, the cell cycle inhibitor p21, which finally leading to the inhibition of PASMCs growth. Consistently, UC2288, a specific inhibitor of p21, partially reversed the PASMCs proliferation inhibited by KLF7 overexpression. Taken collectively, the data suggested that KLF7 inhibits PASMCs proliferation and migration via p21 pathway and it may be used as a new therapeutic target for the PAH.
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Wang X, Pang J, Cui J, Liu A, Wang H. Inhibition of microRNA-19a-3p alleviates the neuropathic pain (NP) in rats after chronic constriction injury (CCI) via targeting KLF7. Transpl Immunol 2023; 76:101735. [PMID: 36334791 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2022.101735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Neuropathic pain(NP) is derived from the dysfunctions of nerve system. The current research is to explore the impact and mechanism of miR-19a-3p in neuropathic pain in rats. METHODS The NP was induced through the chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery in rats. The pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in spinal cord tissues from rats were measured using Elisa kits. Moreover, the different levels of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in rats were examined through paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT). To investigate into the role of miR-19a-3p and KLF7 in NP of rats, the knockdown of miR-19a-3p alone or along with KLF7 downregulation in rats were achieved through lentivirus injection. The miR-19a-3p and KLF7 expression in spinal cord of rats on Day 3,7,14 after CCI were detected using RT-qPCR. The protein expression of KLF7 were measured by Western blot. Bioinformatics and luciferase assays were used for the prediction and verification of bindings between KLF7 and miR-19a-3p. RESULTS CCI surgery caused neuropathic pain in rats with the levels of inflammatory cytokines increased and PWL and PWT decreased. Moreover, miR-19a-3p expression was increased while the protein and mRNA levels were decreased in spinal cord tissues in rats after CCI surgery. In rat microglial cells, miR-19a-3p downregulation could promote the KLF7 in both mRNA and protein expression. In spinal cord tissues of rats, the inhibition of miR-19a-3p enhanced the KLF7 expression. Furthermore, miR-19a-3p downregulation suppressed the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations, and could decrease the NP but inhibition of KLF7 could partially reverse this in CCI rats. CONCLUSION miR-19a-3p inhibition may alleviate NP via KLF7 in CCI rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Wang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China.
| | - Jun Pang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Jian Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics, Tianjin 300100, China
| | - Aifen Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Public Security Hospital, Tianjin 300042, China
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Cunningham C, Viskontas M, Janowicz K, Sani Y, Håkansson M, Heidari A, Huang W, Bo X. The potential of gene therapies for spinal cord injury repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:299-305. [PMID: 35900407 PMCID: PMC9396485 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.347941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is no cure for traumatic spinal cord injury but one therapeutic approach showing promise is gene therapy. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the efficacy of gene therapies in pre-clinical models of spinal cord injury and the risk of bias. In this meta-analysis, registered at PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42020185008), we identified relevant controlled in vivo studies published in English by searching the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. No restrictions of the year of publication were applied and the last literature search was conducted on August 3, 2020. We then conducted a random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood estimator. A total of 71 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. Our results showed that overall, gene therapies were associated with improvements in locomotor score (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.68–2.47, Tau2 = 2.13, I2 = 83.6%) and axonal regrowth (SMD: 2.78, 95%CI: 1.92–3.65, Tau2 = 4.13, I2 = 85.5%). There was significant asymmetry in the funnel plots of both outcome measures indicating the presence of publication bias. We used a modified CAMARADES (Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data in Experimental Studies) checklist to assess the risk of bias, finding that the median score was 4 (IQR:3–5). In particular, reports of allocation concealment and sample size calculations were lacking. In conclusion, gene therapies are showing promise as therapies for spinal cord injury repair, but there is no consensus on which gene or genes should be targeted.
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Tang Z, Yang C, He Z, Deng Z, Li X. Notoginsenoside R1 alleviates spinal cord injury through the miR-301a/KLF7 axis to activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:741-755. [PMID: 35509687 PMCID: PMC9008318 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating incident that induces neuronal loss and dysfunction. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) has been reported to exhibit a neuroprotective role after SCI. In this study, the effect and molecular mechanisms of NGR1 in models of SCI were further investigated. Rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line (PC-12) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish a cell model of SCI-like condition. The changes of proinflammatory cytokines and associated proteins were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. A rat model of SCI was established. Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological characteristics of spinal cord tissues. reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression of miR-301a andKrüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7). Our results showed that NGR1 alleviated LPS-triggered apoptosis and inflammation in PC-12 cells. MiR-301a was upregulated in LPS-stimulated PC-12 cells and was downregulated by NGR1 treatment. MiR-301a overexpression reversed the effect of NGR1 in LPS-treated PC-12 cells. KLF7 was verified to be targeted by miR-301a. NGR1 activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in LPS-treated PC-12 cells by inhibiting miR-301a and upregulating KLF7. Moreover, blocking wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling eliminated the protective effect of NGR1 against SCI in vitro and in vivo. Overall, NGR1 could reduce inflammation and apoptosis and promote functional recovery of SCI rats by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University , Changsha 410013 , Hunan , China
| | - Chunhua Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital of Changsha , Kaifu District , Changsha 410005 , Hunan , China
| | - Zhengwen He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University , Changsha 410013 , Hunan , China
| | - Zhiyong Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University , Changsha 410013 , Hunan , China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Hospital of Changsha , No. 311, Yingpan Road, Kaifu District , Changsha 410005 , Hunan , China
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Li WY, Fu XM, Wang ZD, Li ZG, Ma D, Sun P, Liu GB, Zhu XF, Wang Y. Krüppel-like factor 7 attenuates hippocampal neuronal injury after traumatic brain injury. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:661-672. [PMID: 34380908 PMCID: PMC8504401 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.320991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous study has shown that the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) promotes peripheral nerve regeneration and motor function recovery after spinal cord injury. KLF7 also participates in traumatic brain injury, but its regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, an HT22 cell model of traumatic brain injury was established by stretch injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation. These cells were then transfected with an adeno-associated virus carrying KLF7 (AAV-KLF7). The results revealed that, after stretch injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation, KLF7 greatly reduced apoptosis, activated caspase-3 and lactate dehydrogenase, downregulated the expression of the apoptotic markers B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3, and increased the expression of βIII-tubulin and the antiapoptotic marker Bcl-2. Furthermore, KLF7 overexpression upregulated Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in HT22 cells treated by stretch injury and oxygen-glucose deprivation. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that KLF7 directly participated in the phosphorylation of STAT3. In addition, treatment with AG490, a selective inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3, weakened the protective effects of KLF7. A mouse controlled cortical impact model of traumatic brain injury was then established. At 30 minutes before modeling, AAV-KLF7 was injected into the ipsilateral lateral ventricle. The protein and mRNA levels of KLF7 in the hippocampus were increased at 1 day after injury and recovered to normal levels at 3 days after injury. KLF7 reduced ipsilateral hippocampal atrophy, decreased the injured cortex volume, downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression, and increased the number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive neurons and Bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, KLF7 transfection greatly enhanced the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in the ipsilateral hippocampus. These results suggest that KLF7 may protect hippocampal neurons after traumatic brain injury through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Mudanjiang Medical University, China (approval No. mdjyxy-2018-0012) on March 6, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yuan Li
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Fu
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei Province, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Nerve Injury and Repair, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, Hebei Province, China
| | - Zhen-Dong Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mudanjiang City Second People’s Hospital, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Li
- The First Department of General Surgery, Hongqi Hospital, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Duo Ma
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Gui-Bo Liu
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Harnessing rAAV-retro for gene manipulations in multiple pathways that are interrupted after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 350:113965. [PMID: 34973965 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper explores the potential of rAAV2-retro to deliver gene modifying cargoes to the cells of origin of multiple pathways that are interrupted by spinal cord injury (SCI), summarizing data from previous studies and new data from additional experiments. rAAV-retro exhibits uniquely robust and reliable long-distance retrograde transport from pre-terminal axons and synapses back to neuronal bodies. Previous studies have documented that various AAV-based genetic modifications can enable axon regeneration after SCI, but these have targeted the cells of origin of one pathway at a time. In contrast, rAAV-retro can simultaneously transduce large numbers of neurons of origin of multiple spinal pathways with single injections into the spinal cord. Our initial studies use RosatdTomato and double transgenic PTENf/f; RosatdTomato mice in which transfection with rAAV-retro/Cre deletes PTEN and activates tdT expression in the same neurons. Injections of rAAV-retro/Cre into the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal cord led to topographically specific retrograde transduction in cortical motoneurons and neurons in subcortical regions that give rise to different spinal pathways. Our results confirm and extend previous studies indicating selective transduction of neurons that terminate at the level of the injection with minimal retrograde transduction of axons in transit to lower levels. We document feasibility of using rAAV-retro expressing shRNA against PTEN along with a GFP reporter (rAAV-retro-shPTEN/GFP) to effectively knock down PTEN in multiple populations of neurons, which can be used in any species. Some limitations and caveats of currently available rAAV-retros are discussed. Together, our results support the potential applications of rAAV-retro for AAV-based gene-modifications for SCI.
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Deng L, Ravenscraft B, Xu XM. Exploring propriospinal neuron-mediated neural circuit plasticity using recombinant viruses after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 349:113962. [PMID: 34953895 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Propriospinal neurons (PSNs) play a crucial role in motor control and sensory processing and contribute to plastic reorganization of spinal circuits responsible for recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). Due to their scattered distribution and various intersegmental projection patterns, it is challenging to dissect the function of PSNs within the neuronal network. New genetically encoded tools, particularly cell-type-specific transgene expression methods using recombinant viral vectors combined with other genetic, pharmacologic, and optogenetic approaches, have enormous potential for visualizing PSNs in the neuronal circuits and monitoring and manipulating their activity. Furthermore, recombinant viral tools have been utilized to promote the intrinsic regenerative capacities of PSNs, towards manipulating the 'hostile' microenvironment for improving functional regeneration of PSNs. Here we summarize the latest development in this fast-moving field and provide a perspective for using this technology to dissect PSN physiological role in contributing to recovery of function after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Baylen Ravenscraft
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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Stepankova K, Jendelova P, Machova Urdzikova L. Planet of the AAVs: The Spinal Cord Injury Episode. Biomedicines 2021; 9:613. [PMID: 34071245 PMCID: PMC8228984 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical and life-disrupting condition with devastating consequences for the physical, social, and professional welfare of patients, and there is no adequate treatment for it. At the same time, gene therapy has been studied as a promising approach for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders by delivering remedial genes to the central nervous system (CNS), of which the spinal cord is a part. For gene therapy, multiple vectors have been introduced, including integrating lentiviral vectors and non-integrating adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV vectors are a promising system for transgene delivery into the CNS due to their safety profile as well as long-term gene expression. Gene therapy mediated by AAV vectors shows potential for treating SCI by delivering certain genetic information to specific cell types. This review has focused on a potential treatment of SCI by gene therapy using AAV vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Stepankova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Machova Urdzikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14200 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
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Wang C, Guo X, Wang Y, Wang H. Silencing of miR-324-5p alleviates rat spinal cord injury by Sirt1. Neurosci Res 2021; 173:34-43. [PMID: 34051279 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI) as primary regulators. Previous studies have reported that miR-324-5p is involved in the modulation of neural injury, while the underlying mechanisms of miR-324-5p in SCI remain unclear. In a SCI rat model, miR-324-5p was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord tissues after SCI. Downregulation of miR-324-5p via injection of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) expressing miR-324-5p inhibitor relieved animal motor deficits and pathological changes in the tissues. Furthermore, downregulation of miR-324-5p significantly altered the expression of genes regulating neural growth, apoptosis, and the inflammatory and antioxidant response, which are implicated in SCI pathogenesis. In a H2O2-induced cell injury model, miR-324-5p silencing rescued the elevated apoptosis of PC12 cells. Finally, miR-324-5p directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region of NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) and negatively regulated the levels of Sirt1, an anti-inflammatory protein involved in SCI. Silencing of Sirt1 aggravated SCI and rescued the effects of miR-324-5p downregulation in rats. Overall, our findings indicated that silencing of miR-324-5p alleviates the loss of animal locomotion and concurrently mediates several degenerative processes relevant to the pathogenesis of SCI by Sirt1, which may provide clues for SCI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanbao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yangtai, 264001, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiuli Guo
- Department of Gerontology, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yangtai, 264001, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yangtai, 264001, Shandong, China
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Yantai Mountain Hospital, Yangtai, 264001, Shandong, China
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12
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Li WY, Jia H, Wang ZD, Zhai FG, Sun GD, Ma D, Liu GB, Li CM, Wang Y. Combinatory transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells with flavonoid small molecule in acellular nerve graft promotes sciatic nerve regeneration. J Tissue Eng 2020; 11:2041731420980136. [PMID: 34956585 PMCID: PMC8693221 DOI: 10.1177/2041731420980136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous animal studies have demonstrated that the flavonoid small-molecule TrkB agonist, 7, 8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF), promotes axon regeneration in transected peripheral nerves. In the present study, we investigated the combined effects of 7, 8-DHF treatment and bone marrow-derived stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) engraftment into acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) and explore relevant mechanisms that may be involved. Our results show that TrkB and downstream ERK1/2 phosphorylation are increased upon 7, 8-DHF treatment compared to the negative control group. Also, 7, 8-DHF promotes proliferation, survival, and Schwann-like cell differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. While selective ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 suppressed the effect of upregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and decreased cell proliferation, survival, and Schwann-like cell differentiation partially induced by 7, 8-DHF. In vivo, 7, 8-DHF promotes survival of transplanted BMSCs and upregulates axonal growth and myelination in regenerating ANAs. 7, 8-DHF+BMSCs also improved motor endplate density of target musculature. These benefits were associated with increased motor functional recovery. 7, 8-DHF+BMSCs significantly upregulated TrkB and ERK1/2 phosphorylation expression in regenerating ANA, and increased TrkB expression in the lumbar spinal cord. The mechanism of 7, 8-DHF action may be related to its ability to upregulate TrkB signaling, and downstream activation of survival signaling molecules ERK1/2 in the regenerating ANAs and spinal cord and improved survival of transplanted BMSCs. This study provides novel foundational data connecting the benefits of 7, 8-DHF treatment in neural injury and repair to BMSCs biology and function and demonstrates a potential combination approach for the treatment of injured peripheral nerve via nerve graft transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-yuan Li
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Hua Jia
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
- Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Zhen-Dong Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Feng-guo Zhai
- Department of Pharmacology, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Guang-da Sun
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Duo Ma
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Gui-Bo Liu
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Chun-Mei Li
- Department of Basic Psychological, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
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Laliberte AM, Goltash S, Lalonde NR, Bui TV. Propriospinal Neurons: Essential Elements of Locomotor Control in the Intact and Possibly the Injured Spinal Cord. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:512. [PMID: 31798419 PMCID: PMC6874159 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Propriospinal interneurons (INs) communicate information over short and long distances within the spinal cord. They act to coordinate different parts of the body by linking motor circuits that control muscles across the forelimbs, trunk, and hindlimbs. Their role in coordinating locomotor circuits near and far may be invaluable to the recovery of locomotor function lost due to injury to the spinal cord where the flow of motor commands from the brain and brainstem to spinal motor circuits is disrupted. The formation and activation of circuits established by spared propriospinal INs may promote the re-emergence of locomotion. In light of progress made in animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI) and in human patients, we discuss the role of propriospinal INs in the intact spinal cord and describe recent studies investigating the assembly and/or activation of propriospinal circuits to promote recovery of locomotion following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Laliberte
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Goltash
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nicolas R Lalonde
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tuan Vu Bui
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Li WY, Zhu GY, Yue WJ, Sun GD, Zhu XF, Wang Y. KLF7 overexpression in bone marrow stromal stem cells graft transplantation promotes sciatic nerve regeneration. J Neural Eng 2019; 16:056011. [PMID: 31296795 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab3188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our previous study demonstrated that the transcription factor, Krüppel-like Factor 7 (KLF7), stimulates axon regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. In the present study, we used a gene therapy approach to overexpress KLF7 in bone marrow-derived stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) as support cells, combined with acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) and determined the potential therapeutic efficacy of a KLF7-transfected BMSC nerve graft transplantation in a rodent model for sciatic nerve injury and repair. APPROACH We efficiently transfected BMSCs with adeno-associated virus (AAV)-KLF7, which were then seeded in ANAs for bridging sciatic nerve defects. MAIN RESULTS KLF7 overexpression promotes proliferation, survival, and Schwann-like cell differentiation of BMSCs in vitro. In vivo, KLF7 overexpression promotes transplanted BMSCs survival and myelinated fiber regeneration in regenerating ANAs; however, KLF7 did not improve Schwann-like cell differentiation of BMSCs within in the nerve grafts. KLF7-BMSCs significantly upregulated expression and secretion of neurotrophic factors by BMSCs, including nerve growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in regenerating ANA. KLF7-BMSCs also improved motor axon regeneration, and subsequent neuromuscular innervation and prevention of muscle atrophy. These benefits were associated with increased motor functional recovery of regenerating ANAs. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that KLF7-BMSCs promoted peripheral nerve axon regeneration and myelination, and ultimately, motor functional recovery. The mechanism of KLF7 action may be related to its ability to enhance transplanted BMSCs survival and secrete neurotrophic factors rather than Schwann-like cell differentiation. This study provides novel foundational data connecting the benefits of KLF7 in neural injury and repair to BMSC biology and function, and demonstrates a potential combination approach for the treatment of injured peripheral nerve via nerve graft transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yuan Li
- Institute of Neural Tissue Engineering, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang 157011, People's Republic of China
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15
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Liu X, Botchway BOA, Tan X, Zhang Y, Fang M. Resveratrol treatment of spinal cord injury in rat model. Microsc Res Tech 2018; 82:296-303. [PMID: 30575194 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is catastrophic and can culminate in disability and death. The routine therapy employed in early stages of SCI currently entails surgical procedures combined with high doses of methylprednisolone (MP). MP is highly controversial for the lack of consensus on its true therapeutic effects. Resveratrol (RES) has recently been recognized as a potential and novel therapeutic drug in SCI. Herein, we investigated the effect of RES in a SCI rat-model and found significant improvement in Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores. Results obtained from histological, immunohistochemistry, and ultra-structural examinations evidenced the tremendous treatment effect of RES. On the basis of our experimental results, we hypothesize that RES could serve as an effective SCI therapeutic with prolong treatment time following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehong Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shaoxing University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shaoxing University School of Medicine, Shaoxing, China
| | - Marong Fang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Li WY, Zhang WT, Cheng YX, Liu YC, Zhai FG, Sun P, Li HT, Deng LX, Zhu XF, Wang Y. Inhibition of KLF7-Targeting MicroRNA 146b Promotes Sciatic Nerve Regeneration. Neurosci Bull 2018; 34:419-437. [PMID: 29356943 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-018-0206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous study has indicated that Krüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7), a transcription factor that stimulates Schwann cell (SC) proliferation and axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury, is a promising therapeutic transcription factor in nerve injury. We aimed to identify whether inhibition of microRNA-146b (miR-146b) affected SC proliferation, migration, and myelinated axon regeneration following sciatic nerve injury by regulating its direct target KLF7. SCs were transfected with miRNA lentivirus, miRNA inhibitor lentivirus, or KLF7 siRNA lentivirus in vitro. The expression of miR146b and KLF7, as well as SC proliferation and migration, were subsequently evaluated. In vivo, an acellular nerve allograft (ANA) followed by injection of GFP control vector or a lentiviral vector encoding an miR-146b inhibitor was used to assess the repair potential in a model of sciatic nerve gap. miR-146b directly targeted KLF7 by binding to the 3'-UTR, suppressing KLF7. Up-regulation of miR-146b and KLF7 knockdown significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of SCs, whereas silencing miR-146b resulted in increased proliferation and migration. KLF7 protein was localized in SCs in which miR-146b was expressed in vivo. Similarly, 4 weeks after the ANA, anti-miR-146b increased KLF7 and its target gene nerve growth factor cascade, promoting axonal outgrowth. Closer analysis revealed improved nerve conduction and sciatic function index score, and enhanced expression of neurofilaments, P0 (anti-peripheral myelin), and myelinated axon regeneration. Our findings provide new insight into the regulation of KLF7 by miR-146b during peripheral nerve regeneration and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for peripheral nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yuan Li
- Department of Anatomy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Wei-Ting Zhang
- The Affiliated Hongqi Hospital, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Yong-Xia Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Yan-Cui Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Feng-Guo Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Hui-Ting Li
- The Affiliated Hongqi Hospital, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China
| | - Ling-Xiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- Department of Anatomy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, 157011, China.
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