Pifithrin-μ modulates microglial activation and promotes histological recovery following spinal cord injury.
CNS Neurosci Ther 2018;
25:200-214. [PMID:
29962076 DOI:
10.1111/cns.13000]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Treatments immediately after spinal cord injury (SCI) are anticipated to decrease neuronal death, disruption of neuronal connections, demyelination, and inflammation, and to improve repair and functional recovery. Currently, little can be done to modify the acute phase, which extends to the first 48 hours post-injury. Efforts to intervene have focused on the subsequent phases - secondary (days to weeks) and chronic (months to years) - to both promote healing, prevent further damage, and support patients suffering from SCI.
METHODS
We used a contusion model of SCI in female mice, and delivered a small molecule reagent during the early phase of injury. Histological and behavioral outcomes were assessed and compared.
RESULTS
We find that the reagent Pifithrin-μ (PFT-μ) acts early and directly on microglia in vitro, attenuating their activation. When administered during the acute phase of SCI, PFT-μ resulted in reduced lesion size during the initial inflammatory phase, and reduced the numbers of pro-inflammatory microglia and macrophages. Treatment with PFT-μ during the early stage of injury maintained a stable anti-inflammatory environment.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that a small molecule reagent PFT-μ has sustained immunomodulatory effects following a single dose after injury.
Collapse