1
|
Jergova S, Dugan EA, Sagen J. Attenuation of SCI-Induced Hypersensitivity by Intensive Locomotor Training and Recombinant GABAergic Cells. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:bioengineering10010084. [PMID: 36671656 PMCID: PMC9854592 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced chronic pain involve dysfunctional GABAergic signaling and enhanced NMDA signaling. Our previous studies showed that SCI hypersensitivity in rats can be attenuated by recombinant rat GABAergic cells releasing NMDA blocker serine-histogranin (SHG) and by intensive locomotor training (ILT). The current study combines these approaches and evaluates their analgesic effects on a model of SCI pain in rats. Cells were grafted into the spinal cord at 4 weeks post-SCI to target the chronic pain, and ILT was initiated 5 weeks post-SCI. The hypersensitivity was evaluated weekly, which was followed by histological and biochemical assays. Prolonged effects of the treatment were evaluated in subgroups of animals after we discontinued ILT. The results show attenuation of tactile, heat and cold hypersensitivity in all of the treated animals and reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL1β and TNFα in the spinal tissue and CSF. Animals with recombinant grafts and ILT showed the preservation of analgesic effects even during sedentary periods when the ILT was discontinued. Retraining helped to re-establish the effect of long-term training in all of the groups, with the greatest impact being in animals with recombinant grafts. These findings suggest that intermittent training in combination with cell therapy might be an efficient approach to manage chronic pain in SCI patients.
Collapse
|
2
|
Jergova S, Hernandez M, Sagen J. Analgesic effect of recombinant GABAergic precursors releasing MVIIA in a model of peripheral nerve injury in rats. Mol Pain 2022; 18:17448069221129829. [PMID: 36113096 PMCID: PMC9513588 DOI: 10.1177/17448069221129829] [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: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of chronic pain has been attributed to dysfunctional GABA signaling in the
spinal cord. Direct pharmacological interventions on GABA signaling are usually not very
efficient and often accompanied by side effects due to the widespread distribution of GABA
receptors in CNS. Transplantation of GABAergic neuronal cells may restore the inhibitory
potential in the spinal cord. Grafted cells may also release additional analgesic peptides
by means of genetic engineering to further enhance the benefits of this approach.
Conopeptides are ideal candidates for recombinant expression using cell-based strategies.
The omega-conopeptide MVIIA is in clinical use for severe pain marketed as FDA approved
Prialt in the form of intrathecal injections. The goal of this study was to develop
transplantable recombinant GABAergic cells releasing conopeptide MVIIA and to evaluate the
analgesic effect of the grafts in a model of peripheral nerve injury-induced pain. We have
engineered and characterized the GABAergic progenitors expressing MVIIA. Recombinant and
nonrecombinant cells were intraspinally injected into animals after the nerve injury.
Animals were tested weekly up to 12 weeks for the presence of hypersensitivity, followed
by histochemical and biochemical analysis of the tissue. We observed beneficial effects of
the grafted cells in reducing hypersensitivity in all grafted animals, especially potent
in the recombinant group. The level of pain-related cytokines was reduced in the grafted
animals and correlation between these pain markers and actual behavior was indicated. This
study demonstrated the feasibility of recombinant cell transplantation in the management
of chronic pain.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bhagwani A, Chopra M, Kumar H. Spinal Cord Injury Provoked Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity, and Their GABAergic Connection. Neurospine 2022; 19:646-668. [PMID: 36203291 PMCID: PMC9537837 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2244368.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is the devastating neurological damage to the spinal cord that becomes more complicated in the secondary phase. The secondary injury comes with inevitable long-lasting complications, such as chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) and spasticity which interfere with day to day activities of SCI patients. Mechanisms underlying CNP post-SCI are complex and remain refractory to current medical treatment. Due to the damage, extensive inhibitory, excitatory tone dysregulation causes maladaptive synaptic transmissions, further altering the nociceptive and nonnociceptive pathways. Excitotoxicity mediated GABAergic cell loss, downregulation of glutamate acid decarboxylase enzyme, upregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters, overactivation of glutamate receptors are some of the key evidence for hypoactive inhibitory tone contributing to CNP and spasticity post-SCI. Restoring the inhibitory GABAergic tone and preventing damage-induced excitotoxicity by employing various strategies provide neuroprotective and analgesic effects. The present article will discuss CNP and spasticity post-SCI, understanding their pathophysiological mechanisms, especially GABA-glutamate-related mechanisms, therapeutic interventions targeting them, and progress regarding how regulating the excitatory-inhibitory tone may lead to more targeted treatments for these distressing complications. Taking background knowledge of GABAergic analgesia and recent advancements, we aim to highlight how far we have reached in promoting inhibitory GABAergic tone for SCI-CNP and spasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Bhagwani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Manjeet Chopra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Hemant Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India,Corresponding Author Hemant Kumar Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar-382355, Gujarat, India ,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lukacova N, Kisucka A, Kiss Bimbova K, Bacova M, Ileninova M, Kuruc T, Galik J. Glial-Neuronal Interactions in Pathogenesis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13577. [PMID: 34948371 PMCID: PMC8708227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits an acute inflammatory response which comprises numerous cell populations. It is driven by the immediate response of macrophages and microglia, which triggers activation of genes responsible for the dysregulated microenvironment within the lesion site and in the spinal cord parenchyma immediately adjacent to the lesion. Recently published data indicate that microglia induces astrocyte activation and determines the fate of astrocytes. Conversely, astrocytes have the potency to trigger microglial activation and control their cellular functions. Here we review current information about the release of diverse signaling molecules (pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory) in individual cell phenotypes (microglia, astrocytes, blood inflammatory cells) in acute and subacute SCI stages, and how they contribute to delayed neuronal death in the surrounding spinal cord tissue which is spared and functional but reactive. In addition, temporal correlation in progressive degeneration of neurons and astrocytes and their functional interactions after SCI are discussed. Finally, the review highlights the time-dependent transformation of reactive microglia and astrocytes into their neuroprotective phenotypes (M2a, M2c and A2) which are crucial for spontaneous post-SCI locomotor recovery. We also provide suggestions on how to modulate the inflammation and discuss key therapeutic approaches leading to better functional outcome after SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Lukacova
- Institute of Neurobiology, Biomedical Research Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Soltesovej 4–6, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia; (A.K.); (K.K.B.); (M.B.); (M.I.); (T.K.); (J.G.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
McIntyre WB, Pieczonka K, Khazaei M, Fehlings MG. Regenerative replacement of neural cells for treatment of spinal cord injury. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2021; 21:1411-1427. [PMID: 33830863 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1914582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) results from primary physical injury to the spinal cord, which initiates a secondary cascade of neural cell death. Current therapeutic approaches can attenuate the consequences of the primary and secondary events, but do not address the degenerative aspects of SCI. Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) for the replacement of the lost/damaged neural cells is suggested here as a regenerative approach that is complementary to current therapeutics.Areas Covered: This review addresses how neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes are impacted by traumatic SCI, and how current research in regenerative-NPC therapeutics aims to restore their functionality. Methods used to enhance graft survival, as well as bias progenitor cells towards neuronal, oligodendrogenic, and astroglia lineages are discussed.Expert Opinion: Despite an NPC's ability to differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes in the transplant environment, their potential therapeutic efficacy requires further optimization prior to translation into the clinic. Considering the temporospatial identity of NPCs could promote neural repair in region specific injuries throughout the spinal cord. Moreover, understanding which cells are targeted by NPC-derived myelinating cells can help restore physiologically-relevant myelin patterns. Finally, the duality of astrocytes is discussed, outlining their context-dependent importance in the treatment of SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Brett McIntyre
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katarzyna Pieczonka
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mutually beneficial effects of intensive exercise and GABAergic neural progenitor cell transplants in reducing neuropathic pain and spinal pathology in rats with spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2020; 327:113208. [PMID: 31962127 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) produces both locomotor deficits and sensory dysfunction that greatly reduce the overall quality of life. Mechanisms underlying chronic pain include increased neuro-inflammation and changes in spinal processing of sensory signals, with reduced inhibitory GABAergic signaling a likely key player. Our previous research demonstrated that spinal transplantation of GABAergic neural progenitor cells (NPCs) reduced neuropathic pain while intensive locomotor training (ILT) could reduce development of pain and partially reverse already established pain behaviors. Therefore, we evaluate the potential mutually beneficial anti-hypersensitivity effects of NPC transplants cells in combination with early or delayed ILT. NPC transplants were done at 4 weeks post-SCI. ILT, using a progressive ramping treadmill protocol, was initiated either 5 days post-SCI (early: pain prevention group) or at 5 weeks post-SCI (delayed: to reverse established pain) in male Sprague Dawley rats. Results showed that either ILT alone or NPCs alone could partially attenuate SCI neuropathic pain behaviors in both prevention and reversal paradigms. However, the combination of ILT with NPC transplants significantly enhanced neuropathic pain reduction on most of the outcome measures including tests for allodynia, hyperalgesia, and ongoing pain. Immunocytochemical and neurochemical analyses showed decreased pro-inflammatory markers and spinal pathology with individual treatments; these measures were further improved by the combination of either early or delayed ILT and GABAergic cellular transplantation. Lumbar dorsal horn GABAergic neuronal and process density were nearly restored to normal levels by the combination treatment. Together, these interventions may provide a less hostile and more supportive environment for promoting functional restoration in the spinal dorsal horn and attenuation of neuropathic pain following SCI. These findings suggest mutually beneficial effects of ILT and NPC transplants for reducing SCI neuropathic pain.
Collapse
|
7
|
Hwang K, Jung K, Kim IS, Kim M, Han J, Lim J, Shin JE, Jang JH, Park KI. Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor-overexpressing Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency in Rat with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. Exp Neurobiol 2019; 28:679-696. [PMID: 31902156 PMCID: PMC6946112 DOI: 10.5607/en.2019.28.6.679] [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: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes axonal damage and demyelination, neural cell death, and comprehensive tissue loss, resulting in devastating neurological dysfunction. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) transplantation provides therapeutic benefits for neural repair in SCI, and glial cell linederived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been uncovered to have capability of stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination after SCI. In this study, to evaluate whether GDNF would augment therapeutic effects of NSPCs for SCI, GDNF-encoding or mock adenoviral vector-transduced human NSPCs (GDNF-or Mock-hNSPCs) were transplanted into the injured thoracic spinal cords of rats at 7 days after SCI. Grafted GDNFhNSPCs showed robust engraftment, long-term survival, an extensive distribution, and increased differentiation into neurons and oligodendroglial cells. Compared with Mock-hNSPC- and vehicle-injected groups, transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs significantly reduced lesion volume and glial scar formation, promoted neurite outgrowth, axonal regeneration and myelination, increased Schwann cell migration that contributed to the myelin repair, and improved locomotor recovery. In addition, tract tracing demonstrated that transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs reduced significantly axonal dieback of the dorsal corticospinal tract (dCST), and increased the levels of dCST collaterals, propriospinal neurons (PSNs), and contacts between dCST collaterals and PSNs in the cervical enlargement over that of the controls. Finally grafted GDNF-hNSPCs substantially reversed the increased expression of voltage-gated sodium channels and neuropeptide Y, and elevated expression of GABA in the injured spinal cord, which are involved in the attenuation of neuropathic pain after SCI. These findings suggest that implantation of GDNF-hNSPCs enhances therapeutic efficiency of hNSPCs-based cell therapy for SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyujin Hwang
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Kwangsoo Jung
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Il-Sun Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Miri Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jungho Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Joohee Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Kook In Park
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation inhibits P2X4 receptor overexpression in spinal cord injury rats with neuropathic pain. Neurosci Lett 2017; 651:171-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
9
|
Recombinant neural progenitor transplants in the spinal dorsal horn alleviate chronic central neuropathic pain. Pain 2017; 157:977-989. [PMID: 26761378 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injury (SCI) is clinically challenging with inadequate long-term treatment options. Partial pain relief offered by pharmacologic treatment is often counterbalanced by adverse effects after prolonged use in chronic pain patients. Cell-based therapy for neuropathic pain using GABAergic neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) has the potential to overcome untoward effects of systemic pharmacotherapy while enhancing analgesic potency due to local activation of GABAergic signaling in the spinal cord. However, multifactorial anomalies underlying chronic pain will likely require simultaneous targeting of multiple mechanisms. Here, we explore the analgesic potential of genetically modified rat embryonic GABAergic NPCs releasing a peptidergic NMDA receptor antagonist, Serine-histogranin (SHG), thus targeting both spinal hyperexcitability and reduced inhibitory processes. Recombinant NPCs were designed using either lentiviral or adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV2/8) encoding single and multimeric (6 copies of SHG) cDNA. Intraspinal injection of recombinant cells elicited enhanced analgesic effects compared with nonrecombinant NPCs in SCI-induced pain in rats. Moreover, potent and sustained antinociception was achieved, even after a 5-week postinjury delay, using recombinant multimeric NPCs. Intrathecal injection of SHG antibody attenuated analgesic effects of the recombinant grafts suggesting active participation of SHG in these antinociceptive effects. Immunoblots and immunocytochemical assays indicated ongoing recombinant peptide production and secretion in the grafted host spinal cords. These results support the potential for engineered NPCs grafted into the spinal dorsal horn to alleviate chronic neuropathic pain.
Collapse
|
10
|
Hwang I, Hahm SC, Choi KA, Park SH, Jeong H, Yea JH, Kim J, Hong S. Intrathecal Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Spinal GABAergic Neural Precursor Cells Attenuates Neuropathic Pain in a Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model. Cell Transplant 2016; 25:593-607. [DOI: 10.3727/096368915x689460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease characterized by spontaneous pain such as hyperalgesia and allodynia. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of ESC-derived spinal GABAergic neurons to treat neuropathic pain in a SCI rat model. Mouse embryonic stem cell–derived neural precursor cells (mESC-NPCs) were cultured in media supplemented with sonic hedgehog (SHH) and retinoic acid (RA) and efficiently differentiated into GABAergic neurons. Interestingly, low doses of SHH and RA induced MGE-like progenitors, which expressed low levels of DARPP32 and Nkx2.1 and high levels of Irx3 and Pax6. These cells subsequently generated the majority of the DARPP32- GABAergic neurons after in vitro differentiation. The spinal mESC-NPCs were intrathecally transplanted into the lesion area of the spinal cord around T10–T11 at 21 days after SCI. The engrafted spinal GABAergic neurons remarkably increased both the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) below the level of the lesion and the vocalization threshold (VT) to the level of the lesion (T12, T11, and T10 vertebrae), which indicates attenuation of chronic neuropathic pain by the spinal GABAergic neurons. The transplanted cells were positive for GABA antibody staining in the injured region, and cells migrated to the injured spinal site and survived for more than 7 weeks in L4–L5. The mESC-NPC-derived spinal GABAergic neurons dramatically attenuated the chronic neuropathic pain following SCI, suggesting that the spinal GABAergic mESC-NPCs cultured with low doses of SHH and RA could be alternative cell sources for treatment of SCI neuropathic pain by stem cell-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Insik Hwang
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Chan Hahm
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Ah Choi
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science; Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Ho Park
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesun Jeong
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Yea
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junesun Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunghoi Hong
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li Y, Zang D. The neuron regrowth is associated with the proliferation of neural precursor cells after leukemia inhibitory factor administration following spinal cord injury in mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e116031. [PMID: 25542011 PMCID: PMC4277544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore whether LIF could promote the proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) and to analyze the correlation between increased NPCs and FluoroGold (FG) labeled neurons in mice after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Motor behavior was assessed using Rotarod and Platform Hang tests; neurons in the corticospinal and rubrospinal systems were labeled with FG, NPCs were immustained with nestin-FITC conjugate. The numbers of FG-labeled neurons and NPCs were estimated, and the correlation between FG-labeled neurons and NPCs was assessed. Results Mice in the SCI group showed negligible recovery of locomotor behavior; in contrast, mice in the LIF group showed a statically significant improvement. Both FG-labeled neurons and NPCs were significantly increased in the LIF group compared to the SCI group, and this increase in FG-labeled neurons and NPCs showed a clear association above the lesion level. Conclusions LIF could promote locomotive behaviors in mice post-SCI by encouraging the proliferation of NPCs; LIF may in fact be a potential cytokine for the induction of NPCs post-SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yubo Li
- Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Dawei Zang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Petruska JC, Hubscher CH, Rabchevsky AG. Challenges and opportunities of sensory plasticity after SCI. Front Physiol 2013; 4:231. [PMID: 23986722 PMCID: PMC3753431 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Petruska
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Alleviation of chronic pain following rat spinal cord compression injury with multimodal actions of huperzine A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E746-55. [PMID: 23386718 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300083110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse mechanisms including activation of NMDA receptors, microglial activation, reactive astrogliosis, loss of descending inhibition, and spasticity are responsible for ∼40% of cases of intractable neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). Because conventional treatments blocking individual mechanisms elicit only short-term effectiveness, a multimodal approach with simultaneous actions against major pain-related pathways may have value for clinical management of chronic pain. We hypothesize that [-]-huperzine A (HUP-A), an alkaloid isolated from the club moss Huperzia serrata, that is a potent reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and NMDA receptors, could mitigate pain without invoking drug tolerance or dependence by stimulating cholinergic interneurons to impede pain signaling, inhibiting inflammation via microglial cholinergic activation, and blocking NMDA-mediated central hypersensitization. We tested our hypothesis by administering HUP-A i.p. or intrathecally to female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-235 g body weight) after moderate static compression (35 g for 5 min) of T10 spinal cord. Compared with controls, HUP-A treatment demonstrates significant analgesic effects in both regimens. SCI rats manifested no drug tolerance following repeated bolus i.p. or chronic intrathecal HUP-A dosing. The pain-ameliorating effect of HUP-A is cholinergic dependent. Relative to vehicle treatment, HUP-A administration also reduced neural inflammation, retained higher numbers of calcium-impermeable GluR2-containing AMPA receptors, and prevented Homer1a up-regulation in dorsal horn sensory neurons. Therefore, HUP-A may provide safe and effective management for chronic postneurotrauma pain by reestablishing homeostasis of sensory circuits.
Collapse
|