Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury and a Long Period of Evolution Exhibit an Altered Cytokine Production by CD4 and CD8 T Cell Populations

Hesperetin ameliorates spinal cord injury in rats through suppressing apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory response

Spinal cord injury (SCI), a fatal condition, is characterized by progressive tissue degradation and extreme functional deficits with limited treatment options. Hesperetin, a natural flavonoid with potent antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties, has yet to be systematically investigated for its therapeutic effects on neurological damage in rat models of SCI. In this study, rats were given oral hesperetin once daily for 28 days, and their locomotion and histopathological changes were assessed. The findings demonstrated that hesperetin alleviates neurological damage caused by SCI. The observed behavioral improvement could be due to an increase in the survival rate of neurons and oligodendrocytes. This improvement further boosted the ability to repair tissue and form myelin after SCI, ultimately resulting in better neurological outcomes. Furthermore, the present study revealed that hesperetin possesses potent antioxidant capabilities in the context of SCI, reducing the levels of harmful oxygen free radicals and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, hesperetin markedly inhibited injury-induced apoptosis, as assessed by caspase-3 immunofluorescence staining and the expression level of caspase-3, indicating the ability of hesperetin to prevent cell death after SCI. Finally, after SCI, hesperetin treatment effectively reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, TNFα, and NF-kB, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effect of hesperetin. Together, our results suggest that hesperetin should be considered a valuable therapeutic aid following SCI, as its positive effects on the nervous system, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, may be crucial mechanisms through which hesperetin exerts neuroprotective effects against SCI.

The Role of Interleukin-10 in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that often leads to severe and permanent neurological deficits. The complex pathophysiology of an SCI involves a cascade of events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and secondary injury processes. Among the myriad of molecular players involved, interleukin-10 (IL-10) emerges as a key regulator with the potential to modulate both the inflammatory response and promote neuroprotection. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of an SCI and explores its therapeutic implications in the quest for effective treatments. IL-10 has been found to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, and glial scars after an SCI. Its neuroprotective properties have been evaluated in a plethora of animal studies. IL-10 administration, either isolated or in combination with other molecules or biomaterials, has shown neuroprotective effects through a reduction in inflammation, the promotion of tissue repair and regeneration, the modulation of glial scar formation, and improved functional outcomes. In conclusion, IL-10 emerges as a pivotal player in the pathogenesis and treatment of SCIs. Its multifaceted role in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, glial scars, and neuroprotection positions IL-10 as a promising therapeutic target. The ongoing research exploring various strategies for harnessing the potential of IL-10 offers hope for the development of effective treatments that could significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries. As our understanding of IL-10's intricacies deepens, it opens new avenues for innovative and targeted therapeutic interventions, bringing us closer to the goal of alleviating the profound impact of SCIs on patients' lives.

Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Display a Progressive Alteration over the Years of the Activation Stages of the T Lymphocyte Compartment

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition associated with severe morbidities and disability. Chronic SCI patients present an enhanced susceptibility to infections and comorbidities with inflammatory pathogenesis. Chronic SCI appears to be associated with a systemic dysfunction of the immune system. We investigated the alteration of the pivotal CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with chronic SCI at different years of evolution. A clinically homogenous population of 105 patients with chronic SCI (31 with time of evolution less than 5 years (SCI SP); 32 early chronic (SCI ECP) with time of evolution between 5 and 15 years; and 42 late chronic (SCI LCP) with time of evolution more than 15 years) and 38 healthy controls were enrolled. SCI ECP and SCI LCP patients showed significant CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphopenia, ascribed to a reduction in naïve and CM subsets. Furthermore, SCI ECP and SCI LCP patients showed a significant reduction in the expression of CD28 on CD8+ T lymphocytes. The expression of CCR6 by CD4+ T lymphocytes was decreased during the evolution of chronic SCI, but on CD8+ T lymphocytes, it was observed during the first 15 years of evolution. In conclusion, the chronic SCI course with severe damage to T lymphocytes mainly worsens over the years of disease evolution.

Effects of altered glycolysis levels on CD8+ T cell activation and function

CD8+ T cells are an important component of the body's adaptive immune response. During viral or intracellular bacterial infections, CD8+ T cells are rapidly activated and differentiated to exert their immune function by producing cytokines. Alterations in the glycolysis of CD8+ T cells have an important effect on their activation and function, while glycolysis is important for CD8+ T cell functional failure and recovery. This paper summarizes the importance of CD8+ T cell glycolysis in the immune system. We discuss the link between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell activation, differentiation, and proliferation, and the effect of altered glycolysis on CD8+ T cell function. In addition, potential molecular targets to enhance and restore the immune function of CD8+ T cells by affecting glycolysis and the link between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell senescence are summarized. This review provides new insights into the relationship between glycolysis and CD8+ T cell function, and proposes novel strategies for immunotherapy by targeting glycolysis.

A comprehensive look at the psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology of spinal cord injury and its progression: mechanisms and clinical opportunities

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating and disabling medical condition generally caused by a traumatic event (primary injury). This initial trauma is accompanied by a set of biological mechanisms directed to ameliorate neural damage but also exacerbate initial damage (secondary injury). The alterations that occur in the spinal cord have not only local but also systemic consequences and virtually all organs and tissues of the body incur important changes after SCI, explaining the progression and detrimental consequences related to this condition. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology (PNIE) is a growing area of research aiming to integrate and explore the interactions among the different systems that compose the human organism, considering the mind and the body as a whole. The initial traumatic event and the consequent neurological disruption trigger immune, endocrine, and multisystem dysfunction, which in turn affect the patient's psyche and well-being. In the present review, we will explore the most important local and systemic consequences of SCI from a PNIE perspective, defining the changes occurring in each system and how all these mechanisms are interconnected. Finally, potential clinical approaches derived from this knowledge will also be collectively presented with the aim to develop integrative therapies to maximize the clinical management of these patients.