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Osorio-Londoño D, Heras-Romero Y, Tovar-y-Romo LB, Olayo-González R, Morales-Guadarrama A. Improved Recovery of Complete Spinal Cord Transection by a Plasma-Modified Fibrillar Scaffold. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1133. [PMID: 38675052 PMCID: PMC11054293 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Complete spinal cord injury causes an irreversible disruption in the central nervous system, leading to motor, sensory, and autonomic function loss, and a secondary injury that constitutes a physical barrier preventing tissue repair. Tissue engineering scaffolds are presented as a permissive platform for cell migration and the reconnection of spared tissue. Iodine-doped plasma pyrrole polymer (pPPy-I), a neuroprotective material, was applied to polylactic acid (PLA) fibers and implanted in a rat complete spinal cord transection injury model to evaluate whether the resulting composite implants provided structural and functional recovery, using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, locomotion analysis, histology, and immunofluorescence. In vivo, MR studies evidenced a tissue response to the implant, demonstrating that the fibrillar composite scaffold moderated the structural effects of secondary damage by providing mechanical stability to the lesion core, tissue reconstruction, and significant motor recovery. Histologic analyses demonstrated that the composite scaffold provided a permissive environment for cell attachment and neural tissue guidance over the fibers, reducing cyst formation. These results supply evidence that pPPy-I enhanced the properties of PLA fibrillar scaffolds as a promising treatment for spinal cord injury recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Osorio-Londoño
- Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 09340, Mexico;
| | - Yessica Heras-Romero
- Experimental Analysis of Behavior Department, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Luis B. Tovar-y-Romo
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | | | - Axayácatl Morales-Guadarrama
- Medical Imaging and Instrumentation Research National Center, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 09340, Mexico
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Hu Y, Sun Y, Yuan H, Liu J, Chen L, Liu D, Xu Y, Zhou X, Ding L, Zhang Z, Xiong L, Xue L, Wang T. Vof16-miR-185-5p-GAP43 network improves the outcomes following spinal cord injury via enhancing self-repair and promoting axonal growth. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14535. [PMID: 38168094 PMCID: PMC11017428 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Self-repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) has been found in humans and experimental animals with partial recovery of neurological functions. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the spontaneous locomotion recovery after SCI are elusive. AIMS This study was aimed at evaluating the pathological changes in injured spinal cord and exploring the possible mechanism related to the spontaneous recovery. RESULTS Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect GAP43 expression in lesion site after spinal cord transection (SCT) in rats. Then RNA sequencing and gene ontology (GO) analysis were employed to predict lncRNA that correlates with GAP43. LncRNA smart-silencing was applied to verify the function of lncRNA vof16 in vitro, and knockout rats were used to evaluate its role in neurobehavioral functions after SCT. MicroRNA sequencing, target scan, and RNA22 prediction were performed to further explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms, and miR-185-5p stands out. A miR-185-5p site-regulated relationship with GAP43 and vof16 was determined by luciferase activity analysis. GAP43-silencing, miR-185-5p-mimic/inhibitor, and miR-185-5p knockout rats were also applied to elucidate their effects on spinal cord neurite growth and neurobehavioral function after SCT. We found that a time-dependent increase of GAP43 corresponded with the limited neurological recovery in rats with SCT. CRNA chip and GO analysis revealed lncRNA vof16 was the most functional in targeting GAP43 in SCT rats. Additionally, silencing vof16 suppressed neurite growth and attenuated the motor dysfunction in SCT rats. Luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-185-5p competitively bound the same regulatory region of vof16 and GAP43. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated miR-185-5p could be a detrimental factor in SCT, and vof16 may function as a ceRNA by competitively binding miR-185-5p to modulate GAP43 in the process of self-recovery after SCT. Our study revealed a novel vof16-miR-185-5p-GAP43 regulatory network in neurological self-repair after SCT and may underlie the potential treatment target for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Anesthesia Operation, The First People's Hospital of Shuangliu DistrictWest China Airport Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yi‐Fei Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Hao Yuan
- Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of NeuroscienceKunming Medical UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Jia Liu
- Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of NeuroscienceKunming Medical UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Dong‐Hui Liu
- Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Yang Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xin‐Fu Zhou
- Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ze‐Tao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Liu‐Lin Xiong
- Department of AnesthesiologyAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhouChina
| | - Lu‐Lu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ting‐Hua Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Neurological Disease, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of NeuroscienceKunming Medical UniversityKunmingChina
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapySichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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Liu J, Chen Z, Wu R, Yu H, Yang S, Xu J, Wu C, Guo Y, Hua N, Zeng X, Ma Y, Li G, Zhang L, Chen Y, Zeng Y, Ding Y, Lai B. Effects of tail nerve electrical stimulation on the activation and plasticity of the lumbar locomotor circuits and the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy after spinal cord transection in rats. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14445. [PMID: 37752787 PMCID: PMC10916423 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe spinal cord injury results in the loss of neurons in the relatively intact spinal cord below the injury area and skeletal muscle atrophy in the paralyzed limbs. These pathological processes are significant obstacles for motor function reconstruction. OBJECTIVE We performed tail nerve electrical stimulation (TNES) to activate the motor neural circuits below the injury site of the spinal cord to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the excitatory afferent neurons in promoting the reconstruction of locomotor function. METHODS Eight days after T10 spinal cord transection in rats, TNES was performed for 7 weeks. Behavioral scores were assessed weekly. Electrophysiological tests and double retrograde tracings were performed at week 8. RESULTS After 7 weeks of TNES treatment, there was restoration in innervation, the number of stem cells, and mitochondrial metabolism in the rats' hindlimb muscles. Double retrograde tracings of the tail nerve and sciatic nerve further confirmed the presence of synaptic connections between the tail nerve and central pattern generator (CPG) neurons in the lumbar spinal cord, as well as motor neurons innervating the hindlimb muscles. CONCLUSION The mechanisms of TNES induced by the stimulation of primary afferent nerve fibers involves efficient activation of the motor neural circuits in the lumbosacral segment, alterations of synaptic plasticity, and the improvement of muscle and nerve regeneration, which provides the structural and functional foundation for the future use of cutting-edge biological treatment strategies to restore voluntary movement of paralyzed hindlimbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Zheng‐Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Rehabilitation Medicine DepartmentThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Rong‐Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouGuangdongChina
- Department of OrthopedicsGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Hai‐Yang Yu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of OrthopedicsGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Shang‐Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jing Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Chuang‐Ran Wu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of OrthopedicsGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yi‐Nan Guo
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Nan Hua
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yuan‐Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart DiseaseGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital(Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Rehabilitation Medicine DepartmentThe First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yuan‐Feng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of OrthopedicsGuangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yuan‐Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongJiangsuChina
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Bi‐Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat‐sen University), Ministry of EducationGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Department of Histology and EmbryologyZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseZhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongJiangsuChina
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Holland CT. Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon in a cat with complete spinal cord transection from traumatic dorsocranial luxation of the second lumbar vertebra. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2404-2409. [PMID: 37846941 PMCID: PMC10650366 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A young stray entire female domestic shorthair cat was presented with symmetrical forelimb extensor rigidity, neck hyperextension and hindlimb paraplegia, characteristic of Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon (SSP), within 30 min of a motor vehicle accident. Radiographic and post-mortem studies disclosed complete transection of the spinal cord from traumatic dorsocranial luxation of the second lumbar vertebra, displacement of the sacrum from the ilium, seventh lumbar and first caudal vertebrae and multiple pelvic fractures. Other causes of forelimb extensor rigidity and neck hyperextension such as decerebrate and decerebellate rigidity were excluded by a lack of neurological signs consistent with these entities and unremarkable findings on post-mortem examination of the cranial cavity and brain and histological examination of the cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of SSP in the cat outside the experimental arena of decerebrate or non-decerebrate preparations following post-brachial spinal cord transection/cold block.
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Feng GY, Zhang NL, Liu XW, Tong LX, Zhang CL, Zhou S, Zhang LP, Huang F. Serum response factor promotes axon regeneration following spinal cord transection injury. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1956-1960. [PMID: 36926719 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.367974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that serum response factor is beneficial for axonal regeneration of peripheral nerves. However, its role after central nervous system injury remains unclear. In this study, we established a rat model of T9-T10 spinal cord transection injury. We found that the expression of serum response factor in injured spinal cord gray matter neurons gradually increased with time, reached its peak on the 7th day, and then gradually decreased. To investigate the role of serum response factor, we used lentivirus vectors to overexpress and silence serum response factor in spinal cord tissue. We found that overexpression of serum response factor promoted motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury. Qualitative observation of biotinylated dextran amine anterograde tracing showed that overexpression of serum response factor increased nerve fibers in the injured spinal cord. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy showed that axon and myelin sheath morphology was restored. Silencing serum response factor had the opposite effects of overexpression. These findings suggest that serum response factor plays a role in the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of axonal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Ying Feng
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Nai-Li Zhang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Liu
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ling-Xi Tong
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chun-Lei Zhang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lu-Ping Zhang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fei Huang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Binzhou Medical University, Laishan; School of Health and Life Sciences, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
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Zawadzka M, Yeghiazaryan M, Niedziółka S, Miazga K, Kwaśniewska A, Bekisz M, Sławińska U. Forced Remyelination Promotes Axon Regeneration in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010495. [PMID: 36613945 PMCID: PMC9820536 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries result in the loss of motor and sensory functions controlled by neurons located at the site of the lesion and below. We hypothesized that experimentally enhanced remyelination supports axon preservation and/or growth in the total spinal cord transection in rats. Multifocal demyelination was induced by injection of ethidium bromide (EB), either at the time of transection or twice during transection and at 5 days post-injury. We demonstrated that the number of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) significantly increased 14 days after demyelination. Most OPCs differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes by 60-90 dpi in double-EB-injected rats; however, most axons were remyelinated by Schwann cells. A significant number of axons passed the injury epicenter and entered the distant segments of the spinal cord in the double-EB-injected rats. Moreover, some serotoninergic fibers, not detected in control animals, grew caudally through the injury site. Behavioral tests performed at 60-90 dpi revealed significant improvement in locomotor function recovery in double-EB-injected rats, which was impaired by the blockade of serotonin receptors, confirming the important role of restored serotonergic fibers in functional recovery. Our findings indicate that enhanced remyelination per se, without substantial inhibition of glial scar formation, is an important component of spinal cord injury regeneration.
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DeFinis JH, Hou S. Dual-Pseudorabies Viral Tracing for Spinal Tyrosine Hydroxylase Interneurons Involved in Segmental Micturition Reflex Circuitry in Spinal Cord Injured Rats. Neurotrauma Rep 2022; 2:660-668. [PMID: 35018366 PMCID: PMC8742299 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2021.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to urinary dysfunction. Although an involuntary micturition reflex can be established to elicit voiding with time, complications arise in the form of bladder hyper-reflexia and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia that cause incontinence and inefficient expulsion of urine. To date, the neuronal mechanisms that underlie regulation of micturition after SCI are not well understood. We recently observed an increase of a population of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ cells in the rat lumbosacral cord post-SCI, which contribute to the sustention of a low level of dopamine that modulates the recovered bladder reflex. To identify whether spinal TH+ cells are involved in the micturition reflex pathway post-SCI, two isoforms of the trans-synaptic retrograde tracer, pseudorabies virus encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP; PRV-152) or red fluorescent protein (RFP; PRV-614), were injected into the bladder detrusor or the external urethral sphincter (EUS), respectively, 3 weeks after a spinal cord transection at the 10th thoracic level (T10) in rats. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine infected TH+ cells in the caudal cord at both 48 and 72 h post-injection. As a result, double-labeled TH+/GFP+ and TH+/RFP+ cells could be found in the superficial dorsal horn, parasympathetic nuclei, and dorsal gray commissure (lamina X) at both time points. More importantly, a shared population of TH+ interneurons (TH+/GFP+/RFP+) exists between bladder and EUS circuitry. These results suggest that spinal TH+ interneurons may coordinate activity of the bladder and EUS that occurs during micturition reflexes post-SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn H DeFinis
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shaoping Hou
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Hou S, Saltos TM, Mironets E, Trueblood CT, Connors TM, Tom VJ. Grafting Embryonic Raphe Neurons Reestablishes Serotonergic Regulation of Sympathetic Activity to Improve Cardiovascular Function after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurosci 2020; 40:1248-64. [PMID: 31896670 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1654-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular dysfunction often occurs after high-level spinal cord injury. Disrupting supraspinal vasomotor pathways affects basal hemodynamics and contributes to the development of autonomic dysreflexia (AD). Transplantation of early-stage neurons to the injured cord may reconstruct the descending projections to enhance cardiovascular performance. To determine the specific role of reestablishing serotonergic regulation of hemodynamics, we implanted serotonergic (5-HT+) neuron-enriched embryonic raphe nucleus-derived neural stem cells/progenitors (RN-NSCs) into a complete spinal cord transection lesion site in adult female rats. Grafting embryonic spinal cord-derived NSCs or injury alone served as 2 controls. Ten weeks after injury/grafting, histological analysis revealed well-survived grafts and partial integration with host tissues in the lesion site. Numerous graft-derived serotonergic axons topographically projected to the caudal autonomic regions. Neuronal tracing showed that host supraspinal vasomotor pathways regenerated into the graft, and 5-HT+ neurons within graft and host brainstem neurons were transsynaptically labeled by injecting pseudorabies virus (PRV-614) into the kidney, indicating reconnected serotonergic circuits regulating autonomic activity. Using an implanted telemeter to record cardiovascular parameters, grafting RN-NSCs restored resting mean arterial pressure to normal levels and remarkably alleviated naturally occurring and colorectal distension-induced AD. Subsequent pharmacological blockade of 5-HT2A receptors with ketanserin in RN-NSC-grafted rats reduced resting mean arterial pressure and increased heart rate in all but 2 controls. Furthermore, spinal cord retransection below RN-NSC grafts partially eliminated the recovery in AD. Collectively, these data indicate that RN-NSCs grafted into a spinal cord injury site relay supraspinal control of serotonergic regulation for sympathetic activity to improve cardiovascular function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Disruption of supraspinal vasomotor pathways results in cardiovascular dysfunction following high-level spinal cord injury. To reestablish the descending regulation of autonomic function, we transplanted serotonergic neuron enriched embryonic raphe nucleus-derived neural stem cells/progenitors into the lesion site of completely transected rat spinal cord. Consequently, grafted raphe nucleus-derived neural stem cells/progenitors acted as a neuronal relay to reconnect supraspinal center and spinal sympathetic neurons below the injury. The reconstituted serotonergic regulation of sympathetic activity led to the improvement of hemodynamic parameters and mitigated autonomic dysreflexia. Based on morphological and physiological results, this study validates the effectiveness of transplanting early-stage serotonergic neurons into the spinal cord for cardiovascular functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
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Zhao XM, He XY, Liu J, Xu Y, Xu FF, Tan YX, Zhang ZB, Wang TH. Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Locomotor Function in Spinal Cord Transection Rats Associated with Nerve Regeneration and IGF-1 R Expression. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:1197-1211. [PMID: 31271053 PMCID: PMC6767897 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719860128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a potential strategy for the treatment of
spinal cord transection (SCT). Here we investigated whether transplanted NSCs would
improve motor function of rats with SCT and explored the underlying mechanism. First, the
rats were divided into sham, SCT, and NSC groups. Rats in the SCT and NSC groups were all
subjected to SCT in T10, and were administered with media and NSC transplantation into the
lesion site, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to label Nestin-, TUNEL-, and
NeuN-positive cells and reveal the expression and location of type I insulin-like growth
factor receptor (IGF-1 R). Locomotor function of hind limbs was assessed by Basso,
Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) score and inclined plane test. The conduction velocity and
amplitude of spinal nerve fibers were measured by electrophysiology and the anatomical
changes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, expression of IGF-1 R
was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The results
showed that NSCs could survive and differentiate into neurons in vitro and in vivo.
SCT-induced deficits were reduced by NSC transplantation, including increase in
NeuN-positive cells and decrease in apoptotic cells. Moreover, neurophysiological profiles
indicated that the latent period was decreased and the peak-to-peak amplitude of spinal
nerve fibers conduction was increased in transplanted rats, while morphological measures
indicated that fractional anisotropy and the number of nerve fibers in the site of spinal
cord injury were increased after NSC transplantation. In addition, mRNA and protein level
of IGF-1 R were increased in the rostral segment in the NSC group, especially in neurons.
Therefore, we concluded that NSC transplantation promotes motor function improvement of
SCT, which might be associated with activated IGF-1 R, especially in the rostral site. All
of the above suggests that this approach has potential for clinical treatment of spinal
cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ming Zhao
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Neurobiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Both the author contributed equally to this article
| | - Xiu-Ying He
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Both the author contributed equally to this article
| | - Jia Liu
- Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yang Xu
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei-Fei Xu
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Xin Tan
- Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zi-Bin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ting-Hua Wang
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Neurobiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Laboratory Zoology Department, Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Gerasimenko Y, Preston C, Zhong H, Roy RR, Edgerton VR, Shah PK. Rostral lumbar segments are the key controllers of hindlimb locomotor rhythmicity in the adult spinal rat. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:585-600. [PMID: 30943092 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00810.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The precise location and functional organization of the spinal neuronal locomotor-related networks in adult mammals remain unclear. Our recent neurophysiological findings provided empirical evidence that the rostral lumbar spinal cord segments play a critical role in the initiation and generation of the rhythmic activation patterns necessary for hindlimb locomotion in adult spinal rats. Since added epidural stimulation at the S1 segments significantly enhanced the motor output generated by L2 stimulation, these data also suggested that the sacral spinal cord provides a strong facilitory influence in rhythm initiation and generation. However, whether L2 will initiate hindlimb locomotion in the absence of S1 segments, and whether S1 segments can facilitate locomotion in the absence of L2 segments remain unknown. Herein, adult rats received complete spinal cord transections at T8 and then at either L2 or S1. Rats with spinal cord transections at T8 and S1 remained capable of generating coordinated hindlimb locomotion when receiving epidural stimulation at L2 and when ensembles of locomotor related loadbearing input were present. In contrast, minimal locomotion was observed when S1 stimulation was delivered after spinal cord transections at T8 and L2. Results were similar when the nonspecific serotonergic agonists were administered. These results demonstrate in adult rats that rostral lumbar segments are essential for the regulation of hindlimb locomotor rhythmicity. In addition, the more caudal spinal networks alone cannot control locomotion in the absence of the rostral segments around L2 even when loadbearing rhythmic proprioceptive afferent input is imposed.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The exact location of the spinal neuronal locomotor-related networks in adult mammals remains unknown. The present data demonstrate that when the rostral lumbar spinal segments (~L2) are completely eliminated in thoracic spinal adult rats, hindlimb stepping is not possible with neurochemical modulation of the lumbosacral cord. In contrast, eliminating the sacral cord retains stepping ability. These observations highlight the importance of rostral lumbar segments in generating effective mammalian locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yury Gerasimenko
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Chet Preston
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Technology and Management, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Hui Zhong
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Roland R Roy
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - V Reggie Edgerton
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California.,Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California.,Institute Guttmann. Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Institut Universitari Adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.,Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Prithvi K Shah
- Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Technology and Management, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.,Department of Neurobiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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11
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Ren X, Kim CY, Canavero S. Bridging the gap: Spinal cord fusion as a treatment of chronic spinal cord injury. Surg Neurol Int 2019; 10:51. [PMID: 31528389 PMCID: PMC6743693 DOI: 10.25259/sni-19-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of animal experimentation, human translation with cell grafts, conduits, and other strategies has failed to cure patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent data show that motor deficits due to spinal cord transection in animal models can be reversed by local application of fusogens, such as Polyethylene glycol (PEG). Results proved superior at short term over all other treatments deployed in animal studies, opening the way to human trials. In particular, removal of the injured spinal cord segment followed by PEG fusion of the two ends along with vertebral osteotomy to shorten the spine holds the promise for a cure in many cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Ren
- Hand and Microsurgery Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Nangang, Harbin, China
- State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics, Harbin Medical University, Nangang, Harbin, China
- Heilongjiang Medical Science Institute, Harbin Medical University, Nangang, Harbin, China
| | - C-Yoon Kim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sergio Canavero
- HEAVEN-GEMINI International Collaborative Group, Turin, Italy
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12
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Wester K, Hove LM, Barndon R, Craven AR, Hugdahl K. Cortical Plasticity After Surgical Tendon Transfer in Tetraplegics. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:234. [PMID: 29967577 PMCID: PMC6015913 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Developmental cortical plasticity with reorganization of cerebral cortex, has been known to occur in young and adult animals after permanent, restricted elimination of afferent (visual or somatosensory) input. In animals, cortical representation of unaffected muscles or sensory areas has been shown to invade the neighboring cortex when this is deprived of its normal sensory input or motor functions. Some studies indicate that similar cortical plasticity may take place in adult humans. Methods: In patients with a high cervical spinal cord injury leaving the patient without any movements of the fingers, we performed fMRI studies of the cortical representation of an elbow flexor muscle before and after a surgical procedure that changed its function to a thumb flexor, thus providing the patient with a useful grip. Results: Preoperatively, the elbow flexion movement was elicited from a cortical area corresponding with the "elbow area" in healthy individuals. Despite the fact that an elbow flexor was used for the post-operative key-grip, this movement in the tetraplegic patients was elicited from a similar brain region as in healthy controls (the "hand area"). This supports our hypothesis that control of that muscle shifts from a brain region typically associated with elbow movement, to one typically associated with wrist movements. Conclusion: The findings presented here show with fMRI that the human cortex is capable of reorganizing itself spatially after a relatively acute change in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Wester
- Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Leiv M. Hove
- Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Roger Barndon
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Alexander R. Craven
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kenneth Hugdahl
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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13
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Abstract
RATIONALE This study aimed to describe the case of a 3-year-old girl with old bilateral facet dislocation on cervical vertebrae 6 and 7, who had spinal cord transection, received surgical treatment, and achieved a relative satisfactory therapeutic effect. PATIENT CONCERNS A 3-year-old girl was urgently transferred to the hospital after a car accident. DIAGNOSES:: she was diagnosed with splenic rupture, intracranial hemorrhage, cervical dislocation, spinal transection, and Monteggia fracture of the left upper limb. INTERVENTIONS The girl underwent emergency splenectomy and was transferred to the intensive care unit of the hospital 15 days later. One-stage anterior-posterior approach surgery (anterior discectomy, posterior laminectomy, and pedicle screw fixation) was performed when the patient stabilized after 45-day symptomatic treatment. The operation was uneventful. OUTCOMES The reduction of lower cervical dislocation was satisfactory, with sufficient spinal cord decompression. The internal fixation position was good, and the spinal sequence was well restored. The girl was discharged 2 weeks later after the operation and followed up for 2 years. The major nerve function of both upper limbs was recovered, with no obvious retardation of the growth of immature spine. LESSONS A satisfactory therapeutic effect was achieved for a pediatric old subaxial cervical dislocation with bilateral locked facets using anterior discectomy, posterior laminectomy, and pedicle screw fixation. The posterior pedicle screw fixation provided a good three-dimensional stability of the spine, with reduced risk and complications caused by anterior internal fixation. The growth of immature spine was not obviously affected during the 2-year follow-up.
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14
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Lam Van Ba O, Barbe MF, Caremel R, Aharony S, Loutochin O, Jacques L, Wood MW, Tiwari E, Tuite GF, Campeau L, Corcos J, Ruggieri MR. Lumbar to sacral root rerouting to restore bladder function in a feline spinal cord injury model: Urodynamic and retrograde nerve tracing results from a pilot study. Neurourol Urodyn 2018; 37:153-162. [PMID: 29314212 DOI: 10.1002/nau.23394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Lumbar to sacral rerouting surgery can potentially allow voiding via a skin-central nervous system-bladder reflex pathway. Here, we assessed if this surgery was effective in treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction/sphincter in felines. METHODS Eight cats underwent spinal cord transection (SCT) at thoracic level 10/11. Unilateral L7 to S1 ventral root anastomosis was performed 1 month later in six cats. Two cats served as transection-only controls. Electrical and manual stimulation of L6-S1 dermatomes, and urodynamics were performed at 3, 5, 7, and 9/10 months post transection. At 9/10 months, cats were also evaluated by direct electrophysiological testing of anastomosed roots with urodynamics, then tissue collection and examination of the root anastomosis site and lumbosacral cord ventral horns for cells retrogradely labeled from tracer dye injected 2 weeks earlier into the bladder wall. RESULTS At 9/10 months, four of six rerouted cats exhibited increased detrusor pressure provoked by cutaneous stimulation, one cat bilaterally. Two cats presented with a voiding stream after ipsilateral cutaneous stimulation at 7 and 9 months. All six rerouted animals showed regrowth of axons from the L7 ventral horn to the bladder, although some aberrant axonal regrowth was also observed. CONCLUSION L7 to S1 ventral root rerouting below the level of SCT showed successful axonal regrowth to the bladder from the L7 spinal cord segment in all rerouted animals, and induced increased detrusor pressure response to cutaneous stimulation in a subset. This feasibility study paves the way for future animal studies for bladder reinnervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Lam Van Ba
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mary F Barbe
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Romain Caremel
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shachar Aharony
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Oleg Loutochin
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Line Jacques
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matthew W Wood
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ekta Tiwari
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gerald F Tuite
- Neuroscience Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Saint Petersburg, Florida.,Shriners Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lysanne Campeau
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacques Corcos
- Department of Urology, Lady Davis Research Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael R Ruggieri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Shriners Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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15
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Li J, Chen S, Zhao Z, Luo Y, Hou Y, Li H, He L, Zhou L, Wu W. Effect of VEGF on Inflammatory Regulation, Neural Survival, and Functional Improvement in Rats following a Complete Spinal Cord Transection. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:381. [PMID: 29238292 PMCID: PMC5712574 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After complete transection of the thoracic spinal segment, neonatal rats exhibit spontaneous locomotor recovery of hindlimbs, but this recovery is not found in adult rats after similar injury. The potential mechanism related to the difference in recovery of neonatal and adult rats remains unknown. In this study, 342 animals were analyzed. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in spinal segments below injury sites was significantly higher in postnatal day 1 rats (P1) compared with 28-day-old adult rats (P28) following a complete T9 transection. VEGF administration in P28 rats with T9 transection significantly improved the functional recovery; by contrast, treatment with VEGF receptor inhibitors in P1 rats with T9 transection slowed down the spontaneous functional recovery. Results showed more neurons reduced in the lumbar spinal cord and worse local neural network reorganization below injury sites in P28 rats than those in P1 rats. Transynaptic tracing with pseudorabies virus and double immunofluorescence analysis indicated that VEGF treatment in P28 rats alleviated the reduced number of neurons and improved their network reorganization. VEGF inhibition in neonates resulted in high neuronal death rate and deteriorated network reorganization. In in vivo studies, T9 transection induced less increase in the number of microglia in the spinal cord in P1 animals than P28 animals. VEGF treatment reduced the increase in microglial cells in P28 animals. VEGF administration in cultured spinal motoneurons prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuronal death and facilitated neurite growth. Western blots of the samples of lumbar spinal cord after spinal transection and cultured spinal motoneurons showed a lower level of Erk1/2 phosphorylation after the injury or LPS induction compared with that in the control. The phosphorylation level increased after VEGF treatment. In conclusion, VEGF is a critical mediator involved in functional recovery after spinal transection and can be considered a potential target for clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Shuangxi Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhikai Zhao
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunhao Luo
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhui Hou
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Anatomy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Liumin He
- Key Laboratory of Biomaterials of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libing Zhou
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wutian Wu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Anatomy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Re-Stem Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Suzhou, China
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16
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Xiong LL, Liu F, Deng SK, Liu J, Dan QQ, Zhang P, Zou Y, Xia QJ, Wang TH. Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Promotes Functional Improvement Associated with NT-3-MEK-1 Activation in Spinal Cord-Transected Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:213. [PMID: 28769769 PMCID: PMC5515877 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transected spinal cord injury (SCT) is a devastating clinical disease that strongly affects a patient’s daily life and remains a great challenge for clinicians. Stem-cell therapy has been proposed as a potential therapeutic modality for SCT. To investigate the effects of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) on the recovery of structure and function in SCT rats and to explore the mechanisms associated with recovery, 57 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham (n = 15), SCT (n = 24), and HSC transplantation groups (n = 15). HSCs (passage 3) labeled by Hoechst 33342, were transplanted intraspinally into the rostral, scar and caudal sites of the transected lesion at 14 days post-operation. Both in vitro and in vivo, HSCs exhibited a capacity for cell proliferation and differentiation. Following HSC transplantation, the animals’ Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB). locomotion scale scores increased significantly between weeks 4 and 24 post-SCT, which corresponded to an increased number of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) fibers and oligodendrocytes. The amount of astrogliosis indicated by immunohistochemical staining, was markedly decreased. Moreover, the decreased expression of neurotrophin- 3 (NT-3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK-1) after SCT was effectively restored by HSC transplantation. The data from the current study indicate that intraspinally administered HSCs in the chronic phase of SCT results in an improvement in neurological function. Further, the results indicate that intraspinally administered HSCs benefit the underlying mechanisms involved in the enhancement of 5-HT-positive fibers and oligogenesis, the suppression of excessive astrogliosis and the upregulation of NT3-regulated MEK-1 activation in the spinal cord. These crucial findings reveal not only the mechanism of cell therapy, but may also contribute to a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-Lin Xiong
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Shi-Kang Deng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical UniversityKunming, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical UniversityKunming, China
| | - Qi-Qin Dan
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Piao Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical UniversityKunming, China
| | - Yu Zou
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Qing-Jie Xia
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China
| | - Ting-Hua Wang
- Institute of Neurological Disease, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical UniversityKunming, China
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17
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Güth R, Chaidez A, Samanta MP, Unguez GA. Properties of skeletal muscle in the teleost Sternopygus macrurus are unaffected by short-term electrical inactivity. Physiol Genomics 2016; 48:699-710. [PMID: 27449658 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00068.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is distinguished from other tissues on the basis of its shape, biochemistry, and physiological function. Based on mammalian studies, fiber size, fiber types, and gene expression profiles are regulated, in part, by the electrical activity exerted by the nervous system. To address whether similar adaptations to changes in electrical activity in skeletal muscle occur in teleosts, we studied these phenotypic properties of ventral muscle in the electric fish Sternopygus macrurus following 2 and 5 days of electrical inactivation by spinal transection. Our data show that morphological and biochemical properties of skeletal muscle remained largely unchanged after these treatments. Specifically, the distribution of type I and type II muscle fibers and the cross-sectional areas of these fiber types observed in control fish remained unaltered after each spinal transection survival period. This response to electrical inactivation was generally reflected at the transcript level in real-time PCR and RNA-seq data by showing little effect on the transcript levels of genes associated with muscle fiber type differentiation and plasticity, the sarcomere complex, and pathways implicated in the regulation of muscle fiber size. Data from this first study characterizing the acute influence of neural activity on muscle mass and sarcomere gene expression in a teleost are discussed in the context of comparative studies in mammalian model systems and vertebrate species from different lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Güth
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico; and
| | - Alexander Chaidez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico; and
| | | | - Graciela A Unguez
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico; and
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18
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Lavrov I, Gerasimenko Y, Burdick J, Zhong H, Roy RR, Edgerton VR. Integrating multiple sensory systems to modulate neural networks controlling posture. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:3306-14. [PMID: 26445868 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00583.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study we investigated the ability of sensory input to produce tonic responses in hindlimb muscles to facilitate standing in adult spinal rats and tested two hypotheses: 1) whether the spinal neural networks below a complete spinal cord transection can produce tonic reactions by activating different sensory inputs and 2) whether facilitation of tonic and rhythmic responses via activation of afferents and with spinal cord stimulation could engage similar neuronal mechanisms. We used a dynamically controlled platform to generate vibration during weight bearing, epidural stimulation (at spinal cord level S1), and/or tail pinching to determine the postural control responses that can be generated by the lumbosacral spinal cord. We observed that a combination of platform displacement, epidural stimulation, and tail pinching produces a cumulative effect that progressively enhances tonic responses in the hindlimbs. Tonic responses produced by epidural stimulation alone during standing were represented mainly by monosynaptic responses, whereas the combination of epidural stimulation and tail pinching during standing or epidural stimulation during stepping on a treadmill facilitated bilaterally both monosynaptic and polysynaptic responses. The results demonstrate that tonic muscle activity after complete spinal cord injury can be facilitated by activation of specific combinations of afferent inputs associated with load-bearing proprioception and cutaneous input in the presence of epidural stimulation and indicate that whether activation of tonic or rhythmic responses is generated depends on the specific combinations of sources and types of afferents activated in the hindlimb muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Lavrov
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia; and
| | - Y Gerasimenko
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia; and
| | - J Burdick
- Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - H Zhong
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - R R Roy
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - V R Edgerton
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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19
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Foffani G, Shumsky J, Knudsen EB, Ganzer PD, Moxon KA. Interactive Effects Between Exercise and Serotonergic Pharmacotherapy on Cortical Reorganization After Spinal Cord Injury. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 30:479-89. [PMID: 26338432 DOI: 10.1177/1545968315600523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In rat models of spinal cord injury, at least 3 different strategies can be used to promote long-term cortical reorganization: (1) active exercise above the level of the lesion; (2) passive exercise below the level of the lesion; and (3) serotonergic pharmacotherapy. Whether and how these potential therapeutic strategies-and their underlying mechanisms of action-interact remains unknown. Methods In spinally transected adult rats, we compared the effects of active exercise above the level of the lesion (treadmill), passive exercise below the level of the lesion (bike), serotonergic pharmacotherapy (quipazine), and combinations of the above therapies (bike+quipazine, treadmill+quipazine, bike+treadmill+quipazine) on long-term cortical reorganization (9 weeks after the spinal transection). Cortical reorganization was measured as the percentage of cells recorded in the deafferented hindlimb cortex that responded to tactile stimulation of the contralateral forelimb. Results Bike and quipazine are "competing" therapies for cortical reorganization, in the sense that quipazine limits the cortical reorganization induced by bike, whereas treadmill and quipazine are "collaborative" therapies, in the sense that the reorganization induced by quipazine combined with treadmill is greater than the reorganization induced by either quipazine or treadmill. CONCLUSIONS These results uncover the interactive effects between active/passive exercise and serotonergic pharmacotherapy on cortical reorganization after spinal cord injury, emphasizing the importance of understanding the effects of therapeutic strategies in spinal cord injury (and in other forms of deafferentation) from an integrated system-level approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Foffani
- Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Servicio de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain Hospitales de Madrid, Móstoles, Spain CEU-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jed Shumsky
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Karen A Moxon
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Zhang D, Li XH, Zhai X, He XJ. Feasibility of 3.0 T diffusion-weighted nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of functional recovery of rats with complete spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:412-8. [PMID: 25878589 PMCID: PMC4396103 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.153689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging is a sensitive way to reflect axonal necrosis and degeneration, glial cell regeneration and demyelination following spinal cord injury, and to display microstructure changes in the spinal cord in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging technology is a sensitive method to diagnose spinal cord injury; fiber tractography visualizes the white matter fibers, and directly displays the structural integrity and resultant damage of the fiber bundle. At present, diffusion tensor imaging is restricted to brain examinations, and is rarely applied in the evaluation of spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and the feasibility of diffusion tensor tractography in the evaluation of complete spinal cord injury in rats. The results showed that the average combined scores were obviously decreased after spinal cord transection in rats, and then began to increase over time. The fractional anisotropy scores after spinal cord transection in rats were significantly lower than those in normal rats (P < 0.05); the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). Following spinal cord transection, fractional anisotropy scores were negatively correlated with apparent diffusion coefficient values (r = -0.856, P < 0.01), and positively correlated with the average combined scores (r = 0.943, P < 0.01), while apparent diffusion coefficient values had a negative correlation with the average combined scores (r = -0.949, P < 0.01). Experimental findings suggest that, as a non-invasive examination, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging can provide qualitative and quantitative information about spinal cord injury. The fractional anisotropy score and apparent diffusion coefficient have a good correlation with the average combined scores, which reflect functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Zhang
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Hui Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xu Zhai
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xi-Jing He
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
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Leng Z, He X, Li H, Wang D, Cao K. Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for spinal cord injury: An 18-year bibliometric analysis based on the Web of Science. Neural Regen Res 2014; 8:1286-96. [PMID: 25206423 PMCID: PMC4107648 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising new approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), and an increasing number of scientific publications are devoted to this treatment strategy. This bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess global research trends in OEC transplantation for SCI. DATA SOURCE All of the data in this study originate from the Web of Science maintained by the Institute for Scientific Information, USA, and includes SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, BKCI-S, BKCI-SSH, CCR-EXPANDED and IC. The Institute for Scientific Information's Web of Science was searched using the keywords "olfactory ensheathing cells" or "OECs" or "olfactory ensheathing glia" or "OEG" or "olfactory ensheathing glial cells" or "OEGs" and "spinal cord injury" or "SCI" or "spinal injury" or "spinal transection" for literature published from January 1898 to May 2012. DATA SELECTION Original articles, reviews, proceedings papers and meeting abstracts, book chapters and editorial materials on OEC transplantation for SCI were included. Simultaneously, unpublished literature and literature for which manual information retrieval was required were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ALL SELECTED LITERATURES ADDRESSING OEC TRANSPLANTATION FOR SCI WERE EVALUATED IN THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS: publication year, document type, language, author, institution, times cited, Web of Science category, core source title, countries/territories and funding agency. RESULTS In the Web of Science published by the Institute for Scientific Information, the earliest literature record was in April, 1995. Four hundred and fourteen publications addressing OEC transplantation for SCI were added to the data library in the past 18 years, with an annually increasing trend. Of 415 records, 405 publications were in English. Two hundred and fifty-nine articles ranked first in the distribution of document type, followed by 141 reviews. Thirty articles and 20 reviews, cited more than 55 times by the date the publication data were downloaded by us, can be regarded as the most classical references. The journal Experimental Neurology published the most literature (32 records), followed by Glia. The United States had the most literature, followed by China. In addition, Yale University was the most productive institution in the world, while The Second Military Medical University contributed the most in China. The journal Experimental Neurology published the most OEC transplantation literature in the United States, while Neural Regeneration Research published the most in China. CONCLUSION This analysis provides insight into the current state and trends in OEC transplantation for SCI research. Furthermore, we anticipate that this analysis will help encourage international cooperation and teamwork on OEC transplantation for SCI to facilitate the development of more effective treatments for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zikuan Leng
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xijing He
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Haopeng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Kai Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi Province, China
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Zhu W, Sun Y, Chen X, Feng S. Glial scar size, inhibitor concentration, and growth of regenerating axons after spinal cord transection. Neural Regen Res 2012; 7:1525-33. [PMID: 25657689 PMCID: PMC4308747 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.20.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A mathematical model has been formulated in accordance with cell chemotaxis and relevant experimental data. A three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method was used for numerical simulation. The present study observed the effects of glial scar size and inhibitor concentration on regenerative axonal growth following spinal cord transection. The simulation test comprised two parts: (1) when release rates of growth inhibitor and promoter were constant, the effects of glial scar size on axonal growth rate were analyzed, and concentrations of inhibitor and promoters located at the moving growth cones were recorded. (2) When the glial scar size was constant, the effects of inhibitor and promoter release rates on axonal growth rate were analyzed, and inhibitor and promoter concentrations at the moving growth cones were recorded. Results demonstrated that (1) a larger glial scar and a higher release rate of inhibitor resulted in a reduced axonal growth rate. (2) The axonal growth rate depended on the ratio of inhibitor to promoter concentrations at the growth cones. When the average ratio was < 1.5, regenerating axons were able to grow and successfully contact target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xuning Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shiliang Feng
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China
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Zhong H, Roy RR, Nakada KK, Zdunowski S, Khalili N, de Leon RD, Edgerton VR. Accommodation of the spinal cat to a tripping perturbation. Front Physiol 2012; 3:112. [PMID: 22557975 PMCID: PMC3340914 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult cats with a complete spinal cord transection at T12–T13 can relearn over a period of days-to-weeks how to generate full weight-bearing stepping on a treadmill or standing ability if trained specifically for that task. In the present study, we assessed short-term (milliseconds to minutes) adaptations by repetitively imposing a mechanical perturbation on the hindlimb of chronic spinal cats by placing a rod in the path of the leg during the swing phase to trigger a tripping response. The kinematics and EMG were recorded during control (10 steps), trip (1–60 steps with various patterns), and then release (without any tripping stimulus, 10–20 steps) sequences. Our data show that the muscle activation patterns and kinematics of the hindlimb in the step cycle immediately following the initial trip (mechanosensory stimulation of the dorsal surface of the paw) was modified in a way that increased the probability of avoiding the obstacle in the subsequent step. This indicates that the spinal sensorimotor circuitry reprogrammed the trajectory of the swing following a perturbation prior to the initiation of the swing phase of the subsequent step, in effect “attempting” to avoid the re-occurrence of the perturbation. The average height of the release steps was elevated compared to control regardless of the pattern and the length of the trip sequences. In addition, the average impact force on the tripping rod tended to be lower with repeated exposure to the tripping stimulus. EMG recordings suggest that the semitendinosus, a primary knee flexor, was a major contributor to the adaptive tripping response. These results demonstrate that the lumbosacral locomotor circuitry can modulate the activation patterns of the hindlimb motor pools within the time frame of single step in a manner that tends to minimize repeated perturbations. Furthermore, these adaptations remained evident for a number of steps after removal of the mechanosensory stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhong
- Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Abstract
We have shown recently that spinal cord injury (SCI) decreases basal gastric contractions 3 days after injury. In the present study we used the [(13)C]-octanoic acid breath test and gastric strain gauges with the aim to investigate the time-course of recovery from postinjury gastric stasis in rats that underwent experimental SCI at the level of the third thoracic (T3) vertebra. Following verification of the [(13)C]-breath test sensitivity in uninjured rats, we conducted our experiments in rats that underwent T3-spinal contusion injury (T3-CI), T3-spinal transection (T3-TX) or laminectomy (control) surgery at 3 days, 1, 3 or 6 weeks postinjury. Our data show that compared to rats that underwent laminectomy, rats that received SCI showed a significant reduction in the cumulative per cent [(13)C] recovery. Although more marked in T3-TX rats, the delayed gastric emptying in T3-CI and T3-TX rats was comparable in the 3 days to 3 weeks period postinjury. At 6 weeks postinjury, the gastric emptying in T3-CI rats recovered to baseline values. Conversely animals in the T3-TX group still show a significantly reduced gastric emptying. Interestingly, the almost complete functional recovery observed in T3-CI rats using the [(13)C]-breath test was not reflected by analysis of spontaneous gastric contractions after SCI. These data indicate that T3-SCI produces a significant reduction in gastric emptying independent of injury severity (T3-CI vs T3-TX) that persists for at least 3 weeks after injury. However, 6 weeks postinjury T3-CI, but not T3-TX, rats begin to demonstrate functional recovery of gastric emptying.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Qualls-Creekmore
- Neurotrauma and Nutrition Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
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25
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Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Hyperreflexia occurs after spinal cord injury and can be assessed by measuring low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex in the anesthetized animal. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of Modafinil (MOD), given orally, following a complete SCI compared with animals receiving MBET and transected untreated animals and examine if changes exist in Connexin 36 (Cx-36) protein levels in the lumbar enlargement of animals for the groups described. SETTING Center for Translational Neuroscience, Little Rock, AR, USA. METHODS Adult female rats underwent complete transection (Tx) at T10 level. H-reflex testing was performed 30 days following Tx in one group, and after initiation of treatment with MOD in another group, and after MBET training in the third group. The Lumbar enlargement tissue was harvested and western blots were performed after immunoprecipitation techniques to compare Cx-36 protein levels. RESULTS Statistically significant decreases in low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex were observed in animals that received MOD and those that were treated with MBET compared with the Tx, untreated group. Statistically significant changes in Cx-36 protein levels were not observed in animals treated with MOD compared with Tx, untreated animals. CONCLUSION Normalization of the loss of low frequency -dependent depression of the H-reflex was demonstrated in the group receiving MOD and the group receiving MBET compared with the Tx, untreated group. Further work is needed to examine if Cx-36 protein changes occur in specific subregions of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Yates
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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26
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Zhou HL, Yang HJ, Li YM, Wang Y, Yan L, Guo XL, Ba YC, Liu S, Wang TH. Changes in Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the rostral and caudal stumps of the transected adult rat spinal cord. Neurochem Res 2008; 33:927-37. [PMID: 18095158 PMCID: PMC2270371 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-007-9536-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2007] [Accepted: 10/23/2007] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Limited information is available regarding the role of endogenous Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the spinal cord following transection injury. The present study investigated the possible role of GDNF in injured spinal cords following transection injury (T(9)-T(10)) in adult rats. The locomotor function recovery of animals by the BBB (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan) scale score showed that hindlimb support and stepping function increased gradually from 7 days post operation (dpo) to 21 dpo. However, the locomotion function in the hindlimbs decreased effectively in GDNF-antibody treated rats. GDNF immunoreactivty in neurons in the ventral horn of the rostral stump was stained strongly at 3 and 7 dpo, and in the caudal stump at 14 dpo, while immunostaining in astrocytes was also seen at all time-points after transection injury. Western blot showed that the level of GDNF protein underwent a rapid decrease at 7 dpo in both stumps, and was followed by a partial recovery at a later time-point, when compared with the sham-operated group. GDNF mRNA-positive signals were detected in neurons of the ventral horn, especially in lamina IX. No regenerative fibers from corticospinal tract can be seen in the caudal segment near the injury site using BDA tracing technique. No somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) could be recorded throughout the experimental period as well. These findings suggested that intrinsic GDNF in the spinal cord could play an essential role in neuroplasticity. The mechanism may be that GDNF is involved in the regulation of local circuitry in transected spinal cords of adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Li Zhou
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Hui-Juan Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Yong-Mei Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ying Wang
- Nursing Department, Weifang Medical College, Weifang, 261042 China
| | - Ling Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Xi-Liang Guo
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ying-Chun Ba
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Su Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
| | - Ting-Hua Wang
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Kunming Medical College, Kunming, 650031 China
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Neurobiology, College of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041 China
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Norreel JC, Pflieger JF, Pearlstein E, Simeoni-Alias J, Clarac F, Vinay L. Reversible disorganization of the locomotor pattern after neonatal spinal cord transection in the rat. J Neurosci 2003; 23:1924-32. [PMID: 12629197 PMCID: PMC6741960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2002] [Revised: 12/02/2002] [Accepted: 12/11/2002] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The central pattern generators (CPGs) for locomotion, located in the lumbar spinal cord, are functional at birth in the rat. Their maturation occurs during the last few days preceding birth, a period during which the first projections from the brainstem start to reach the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of suppressing inputs from supraspinal structures on the CPGs, shortly after their formation. The spinal cord was transected at the thoracic level at birth [postnatal day 0 (P0)]. We examined during the first postnatal week the capacity of the CPGs to produce rhythmic motor activity in two complementary experimental conditions. Left and right ankle extensor muscles were recorded in vivo during airstepping, and lumbar ventral roots were recorded in vitro during pharmacologically evoked fictive locomotion. Mechanical stimulation of the tail elicited long-lasting sequences of airstepping in the spinal neonates and only a few steps in sham-operated rats. In vitro experiments made simultaneously on spinal and sham animals confirmed the increased excitability of the CPGs after spinalization. A left-right alternating locomotor pattern was observed at P1-P3. Both types of experiments showed that the pattern was disorganized at P6-P7, and that the left-right alternation was lost. Alternation was restored after the activation of serotonergic 5-HT(2) receptors in vivo. These results suggest that descending pathways, in particular serotonergic projections, control the strength of reciprocal inhibition and therefore shape the locomotor pattern in the neonatal rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Chrétien Norreel
- Développement et Pathologie du Mouvement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, F-13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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Krowicki ZK, Kapusta DR, Hornby PJ. Orphanin FQ/nociceptin and [Phe(1)Psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)] nociceptin(1-13)-NH(2) stimulate gastric motor function in anaesthetized rats. Br J Pharmacol 2000; 130:1639-45. [PMID: 10928969 PMCID: PMC1572221 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0703463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2000] [Revised: 04/24/2000] [Accepted: 05/08/2000] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) is a preferred endogenous ligand for the orphan opioid receptor-like-1 receptor. This peptide has been reported to increase intestinal, but not gastric, motor activity. In the present study, OFQ/N (0.6-60 nmol kg(-1) i.v.) increased intragastric pressure and antral contractility and, as expected, decreased blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. The gastric motor effects of OFQ/N (6 nmol kg(-1)) were not affected by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase or opioid receptor blockade. OFQ/N (6 nmol kg(-1)) evoked gastric motor increases and hypotension were not affected by prior administration of its derivative [Phe(1)Psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH(2) unless the pseudopepotide was administered shortly (5 min) prior to OFQ/N. This putative antagonist (6-300 nmol kg(-1)) alone increased antral motility with approximately 100 fold lower potency than OFQ/N. Neither bilateral vagotomy nor spinal cord transection altered OFQ/N-evoked increases in intragastric pressure and antral contractility. In conclusion, OFQ/N induces gastric motor excitation in addition to its known effects to increase intestinal motility. The gastric responses to OFQ/N are not dependent on 'classical' opioid receptor activation or nitric oxide, similar to the case for the intestines. The primary site of action of OFQ/N on the stomach is probably via enteric nerves, since central descending vagal or sympathetic pathways are not necessary for OFQ/N to increase gastric motility. The gastric motor effects of the derivative [Phe(1)Psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH(2) are similar to OFQ/N, although with lower potency. The effects of the derivative as a partial agonist or antagonist in different experimental paradigms may reflect tissue OFQ/N receptor reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z K Krowicki
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Pharmacology and Center of Excellence for Neuroscience, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, LA 70112, USA.
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Somogyi GT, Zernova GV, Yoshiyama M, Yamamoto T, de Groat WC. Frequency dependence of muscarinic facilitation of transmitter release in urinary bladder strips from neurally intact or chronic spinal cord transected rats. Br J Pharmacol 1998; 125:241-6. [PMID: 9786494 PMCID: PMC1565611 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0702041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
1. Electrical stimulation evoked release of 3H-noradrenaline (NA) and 14C-acetylcholine (ACh), as well as neurally evoked contractions were measured at various (1-40 Hz, 100 shocks) stimulation frequencies in bladder strips from neurally intact (NI) and spinal cord transected (SCT) rats. 2. The frequency response curves for ACh and NA release were shifted to the left in SCT bladder strips as compared to NI bladder strips. 3. Atropine (1 microM) depressed ACh release in NI bladder strips at high frequency stimulation (10 and 40 Hz) but not at low frequency stimulation (2-5 Hz). However, in SCT bladders, atropine depressed ACh release both at low and high frequencies of stimulation, indicating that muscarinic facilitation occurs at lower frequencies. 4. Atropine depressed the release of NA in NI bladders at only 40 Hz stimulation, but depressed release at all frequencies in SCT bladders. 5. The amplitude of neurally evoked contractions of bladder strips from NI rats was enhanced as the frequency of stimulation was increased from 1 to 40 Hz (80 shocks). The frequency response curve was shifted to the left in SCT bladders. Atropine blocked the neurally evoked contractions in SCT bladder strips to a greater extent than the contractions in NI strips indicating a cholinergic dominance in the SCT bladders. 6. Maximal contractile force of SCT bladder strips evoked by neural stimulation at 20 Hz 10 shocks and 80 shocks was significantly lower than that of NI bladder strips, whereas the release of ACh was significantly higher in SCT than NI bladders indicating a postjunctional defect in the SCT preparations. 7. It is suggested that presynaptic muscarinic facilitatory mechanisms are upregulated in the cholinergic and adrenergic nerve terminals in SCT bladders leading to a larger relative contractile response at lower frequencies of stimulation (2-5 Hz). Thus the hyperreflexic bladder occurring after spinal cord injury may be due in part to an enhancement of transmitter release at bladder postganglionic nerve terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- G T Somogyi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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