周围神经损伤后外源性GKNF对神经元的保护作用

采用硅管套接大鼠切断的坐骨神经模型,局部给予胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（ＧＤＮＦ）,应用尼氏染色、酶组织化学染色方法,观察到外源性ＧＤＮＦ能减少脊髓修复侧前角运动神经元死亡的数目,降低脊髓前角运动神经元及脊神经节感觉神经元中胆碱酯酶（ＣＨＥ）及酸性磷酸酶（ＡＣＰ）变化的幅度。这表明外源性ＧＤＮＦ能保护周围神经切断后引起的神经元损伤．     

大鼠坐骨神经切断后外源性bcl-2对脊髓运动神经元的保护作用

采用大鼠坐骨神经切断损伤模型,行神经外膜端端对线缝合,术中依不同组别,动物于神经缝合处远端0．5cm处分别注射人的正义和反义bcl-2重组腺病毒(Ad／s-bcl-2、Ad／as-bcl-2),报道基因重组腺病毒(Ad／lacZ)和生理盐水。术后48h,7d,15d和30d常规灌注固定大鼠,取L4-L6脊髓节段,应用X-gal染色、bel-2原位杂交和免疫组化染色、TUNEL染色以及乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)组织化学染色方法,观察到外源基因能在脊髓中表达,同时外源性Ad／s-bcl-2能显著减少L4到L6节段脊髓前角运动神经元凋亡的数目,减少脊髓前角运动神经元中因坐骨神经切断导致的AChE活性的降低幅度,并加快其恢复。而Ad／as-bcl-2可显著增加坐骨神经切断诱导的脊髓前角运动神经元凋亡数目以及AChE活性降低幅度,并延缓其恢复。这些观察结果表明,外源性bcl-2能保护周围神经切断后引起的脊髓运动神经元损伤。     

重组人胶质细胞源性神经营养因子的生物学活性研究

从人星形胶质细胞瘤BT-325细胞中克隆胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF) cDNA序列.以大肠杆菌作为表达系统,GDNF蛋白在大肠杆菌JM103中获得了高效表达;表达产物经纯化、复性后,以8日龄鸡胚背根节（DRG）、14日龄胎鼠脊髓前角运动神经元以及新生大鼠大脑皮层胶质细胞作为实验材料,研究了GDNF的生物学活性,结果表明： rhGDNF可有效地促进DRG突起的生长,rhGDNF对体外培养的运动神经元表现出明显的促突起生长作用,并可显著提高体外培养运动神经元的存活率,rhGDNF 对体外培养的胶质细胞具有促增殖作用.     

器官型培养的脊髓与体内脊髓的对比

旨在观察体外器官型培养的脊髓薄片是否与同龄大鼠体内生长的脊髓具有相似的形态和恒定的前角a运动神经元数目,建立能模拟体内生长环境的稳定的脊髓器官培养模型。利用出生后8天乳鼠的腰段脊髓组织切片建立脊髓器官型培养模型,用神经元的特异性免疫组化染色SMI-32对脊髓前角a运动神经元加以鉴定并与同龄大鼠体内生长的脊髓做比较。结果发现脊髓体外生长良好,形态完整,a运动神经元数目恒定,与同龄大鼠比较无显著差异,并可长期存活达2个月。脊髓的器官培养技术为研究脊髓生理、病理改变及神经保护提供了有效的方法。     

GDNF对原代培养脊髓神经元的影响

本文研究了GDNF对体外培养各个时期的脊髓神经元的作用。通过MTT法检测GDNF对脊髓神经元存活率的影响,发现GDNF能促进培养7天及14天的神经元存活。 通过活体观察、尼氏染色、NSE免疫细胞化学染色观察GDNF对脊髓神经元生长锥数目、胞体大小、突起长度及分枝、侧棘形成的影响,发现GDNF对体外培养1—3周的脊髓神经元有明显的营养作用。     

GDNF对体外运动神经元和感觉神经元的影响

目的:探讨胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)对正常胎鼠脊髓运动神经元(SMN)和背根神经节神经元(DRG)生长活性的作用.方法:建立大鼠胚胎SMN和DRG单细胞培养体系,观察1 μg/L、10 μg/L、50 μg/L和100 μg/L GDNF对SMN和DRG存活及突起生长的影响.结果: GDNF组培养的SMN和DRG存活数目明显增加,神经元突起长度比对照组明显增长,且具有剂量依赖趋势.结论: GDNF对正常大鼠胚胎发育期运动神经元和感觉神经元具有神经营养作用.     

肌萎缩侧索硬化脊髓器官型培养模型的建立

利用谷氨酸转运体抑制剂苏—羟天冬氨酸(THA)制备选择性运动神经元凋亡的肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALs)脊髓器官型培养模型。取出生后8天乳鼠腰段脊髓组织切成脊髓薄片,在培养液中分别加入不同浓度THA,用SMI—32免疫组化染色对脊髓腹角α运动神经元进行鉴定,calretinin免疫组化染色对背角中间神经元进行鉴定,测定培养液中谷氨酸(Glu)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的含量,并与对照组比较。结果显示对照组α运动神经元数目恒定;THA引起培养液中剂量依赖性Glu、LDH含量增高和SMI—32阳性的α运动神经元数目减少,脊髓背角的中间神经元损伤相对较轻;100μmol／L THA组在体外培养4周后,细胞外Glu含量增高,SMI—32阳性的α运动神经元数目较对照组明显减少,背角的中间神经元数目无显著变化,可以制成ALS脊髓器官型培养模型。     

人类多能干细胞向脊髓前角运动神经元定向分化方法研究进展:从发育生物学到临床转化

人类多能干细胞(human pluripotent stem cell,hPSC)包括人胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ESC)及人诱导多能干细胞(induced pluripotent stem cell,iPSC),它们具有向人体多种类型细胞分化的潜能。近年来,其体外定向分化为脊髓前角运动神经元的研究取得了一定进展。该文基于对神经发育的理解,回顾总结了hPSC向脊髓前角运动神经元定向分化的研究进展,并介绍了它们在研究人类神经发育、对疾病进行体外建模和细胞替代疗法方面的应用。     

大鼠脊髓不完全性损伤后前角运动神经元的酶细胞化学改变

以改良Ａｌｅｎ氏法造成Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠不完全性脊髓损伤,采用神经学功能评分法评定大鼠运动功能,应用定量酶细胞化学方法观察脊髓前角运动神经元内乙酰胆碱酯酶（ＡＣｈＥ）和酸性磷酸酶（ＡｃＰ）活性变化。结果显示：１．脊髓损伤后大鼠运动功能障碍,随后逐渐恢复。２．前角运动神经元内ＡＣｈＥ活性减弱、ＡｃＰ活性增强;随后酶活性呈逐渐恢复,四周时ＡＣｈＥ活性基本恢复正常。结果说明：大鼠脊髓不完全性损伤后运动功能变化与前角运动神经元的功能状态具有较强的相关性;前角运动神经元在不完全性脊髓损伤运动功能恢复中起重要作用。     

肝细胞生长因子在正常大鼠腰段脊髓和背根神经节的表达

目的:观察肝细胞生长因子(hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)在大鼠脊髓和背根神经节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)的表达。方法:取健康成年6只SD大鼠运用免疫组织化学染色技术检测HGF在腰段脊髓、背根神经节内的表达和分布。结果:在L4-6段脊髓,HGF免疫阳性产物可见于各板层神经元,尤以脊髓前角运动神经元明显;在DRG中,HGF免疫阳性物质可见于以大、中型为主的神经元的胞浆及突起中。结论:脊髓和背根神经节内的HGF通过与受体c-Met结合可能在神经再生及突触可塑性方面起一定作用。     

Motor neuron degeneration after sciatic nerve avulsion in adult rat evolves with oxidative stress and is apoptosis.

The mechanisms for motor neuron degeneration and regeneration in adult spinal cord following axotomy and target deprivation are not fully understood. We used a unilateral sciatic nerve avulsion model in adult rats to test the hypothesis that retrograde degeneration of motor neurons resembles apoptosis. By 21 days postlesion, the number of large motor neurons in lumbar spinal cord was reduced by approximately 30%. The death of motor neurons was confirmed using the terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling method for detecting fragmentation of nuclear DNA. Motor neuron degeneration was characterized by aberrant accumulation of perikaryal phosphorylated neurofilaments. Structurally, motor neuron death was apoptosis. Apoptotic motor neurons undergo chromatolysis followed by progressive cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation with chromatin compaction into uniformly large round clumps. Prior to apoptosis, functionally active mitochondria accumulate within chromatolytic motor neurons, as determined by cytochrome c oxidase activity. These dying motor neurons sustain oxidative damage to proteins and nucleic acids within the first 7 days after injury during the progression of apoptosis, as identified by immunodetection of nitrotyrosine and hydroxyl-modified deoxyguanosine and guanosine. We conclude that the retrograde death of motor neurons in the adult spinal cord after sciatic nerve avulsion is apoptosis. Accumulation of active mitochondria within the perikaryon and oxidative damage to nucleic acids and proteins may contribute to the mechanisms for apoptosis of motor neurons in the adult spinal cord.     

Comparison of three neuro-tracing techniques for identification of the sciatic spinal nerve origin in mice

To identify sensory and motor neurons associated with the sciatic nerve in adult mice, three methods for applying fluorescent tracers (Fluorogold and Dil) were investigated: direct application, intraneural injection and impregnation of a sectioned nerve in a silicone chamber. Most accurate localization of the neurons on the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord was accomplished by introducing the proximal stump of a transected sciatic nerve into a silicone chamber, filled with tracers and then decalcifying the tissue. Fluorogold was an effective tracing agent, in contrast to Dil, which was not. In addition to associations with cephalic ganglia L4, L5 and L6, as seen in rats, contributory neurons to the sciatic nerve were located in other ganglia in the mouse. These findings show that the silicone chamber-tissue decalcification technique is a viable tool for obtaining comparative neuroanatomical information in the mouse model.     

Progranulin contributes to endogenous mechanisms of pain defense after nerve injury in mice

Progranulin haploinsufficiency is associated with frontotemporal dementia in humans. Deficiency of progranulin led to exaggerated inflammation and premature aging in mice. The role of progranulin in adaptations to nerve injury and neuropathic pain are still unknown. Here we found that progranulin is up-regulated after injury of the sciatic nerve in the mouse ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord, most prominently in the microglia surrounding injured motor neurons. Progranulin knockdown by continuous intrathecal spinal delivery of small interfering RNA after sciatic nerve injury intensified neuropathic pain-like behaviour and delayed the recovery of motor functions. Compared to wild-type mice, progranulin-deficient mice developed more intense nociceptive hypersensitivity after nerve injury. The differences escalated with aging. Knockdown of progranulin reduced the survival of dissociated primary neurons and neurite outgrowth, whereas addition of recombinant progranulin rescued primary dorsal root ganglia neurons from cell death induced by nerve growth factor withdrawal. Thus, up-regulation of progranulin after neuronal injury may reduce neuropathic pain and help motor function recovery, at least in part, by promoting survival of injured neurons and supporting regrowth. A deficiency in this mechanism may increase the risk for injury-associated chronic pain.     

Peripherally-derived BDNF promotes regeneration of ascending sensory neurons after spinal cord injury

Background

The blood brain barrier (BBB) and truncated trkB receptor on astrocytes prevent the penetration of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) applied into the peripheral (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) thus restrict its application in the treatment of nervous diseases. As BDNF is anterogradely transported by axons, we propose that peripherally derived and/or applied BDNF may act on the regeneration of central axons of ascending sensory neurons.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The present study aimed to test the hypothesis by using conditioning lesion of the sciatic nerve as a model to increase the expression of endogenous BDNF in sensory neurons and by injecting exogenous BDNF into the peripheral nerve or tissues. Here we showed that most of regenerating sensory neurons expressed BDNF and p-CREB but not p75NTR. Conditioning-lesion induced regeneration of ascending sensory neuron and the increase in the number of p-Erk positive and GAP-43 positive neurons was blocked by the injection of the BDNF antiserum in the periphery. Enhanced neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in vitro by conditioning lesion was also inhibited by the neutralization with the BDNF antiserum. The delivery of exogenous BDNF into the sciatic nerve or the footpad significantly increased the number of regenerating DRG neurons and regenerating sensory axons in the injured spinal cord. In a contusion injury model, an injection of BDNF into the footpad promoted recovery of motor functions.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data suggest that endogenous BDNF in DRG and spinal cord is required for the enhanced regeneration of ascending sensory neurons after conditioning lesion of sciatic nerve and peripherally applied BDNF may have therapeutic effects on the spinal cord injury.     

Exogenous heat shock cognate protein Hsc70 prevents axotomy-induced death of spinal sensory neurons

Elevation of intracellular heat shock protein (Hsp)70 increases resistance of cells to many physical and metabolic insults. We tested the hypothesis that treatment with Hsc70 can also produce that effect, using the model of axotomy-induced neuronal death in the neonatal mouse. The sciatic nerve was sectioned and in some animals purified bovine brain Hsc70 was applied to the proximal end of the nerve immediately thereafter and again 3 days later. Seven days postaxotomy, the surviving sensory neurons of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and motoneurons of the lumbar ventral spinal cord were counted to assess cell death. Axotomy induced the death of approximately 33% of DRG neurons and 50% of motoneurons, when examined 7 days postinjury. Application of exogenous Hsc70 prevented axotomy-induced death of virtually all sensory neurons, but did not singificantly alter motoneuron death. Thus, Hsc70 may prove to be useful in the repair of peripheral sensory nerve damage.     

T-588 Protects Motor Neuron Death Following Axotomy

R(-)-1-(benzo [b] thiophen-5-yl)-2-[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethoxy] ethanol hydrochloride) (T-588) enhances acetylcholine release. This compound slows the motor deterioration of wobbler mouse motor neuron disease and enhances neurite outgrowth and choline acetyltransferase activity in cultured rat spinal motor neurons. We examined the ability of T-588 on axotomized spinal motor neuron death in the rat spinal cord. After the postnatal unilateral section of sciatic nerve, there was approximately a 50% survival of motor neurons in the fourth lumbar segment. In comparison with vehicle, intraperitoneal injection of T-588 for 14 consecutive days rescued spinal motor neuron death. Our results showing in vivo neurotrophic activity of T-588 for motor neurons support the applicability of T-588 for the treatment of motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor neuropathies.     

低温保存许旺细胞对周围神经再生的作用

目的：比较原代培养许旺细胞（Schwann cells,SCs)和冷冻保存的SCs移植对损伤后坐骨神经再生的作用。方法：原代培养和液氮保存的SCs分别移植到桥接缺损坐骨神经的硅胶管内。在移植后不同时间（第6和8周末）,硅胶管远端神经干内注射HRP,逆行追踪背根神经节和脊髓前角的标记神经元数量;测量再生神经纤维的复合动作电位传导速度;电镜观察再生神经纤维的髓鞘形成。结果：原代培养和冷冻保存SCs在移植后不同时间其背根神经节和脊髓前角神经元HRP标记细胞数量、再生神经纤维的复合动作电位传导速度基本一致,再生神经纤维髓鞘的形成未见明显差别。结论：冷冻保存的SCs仍具有促进损伤后周围神经再生的能力。     

Injury‐induced spinal motor neuron apoptosis is preceded by DNA single‐strand breaks and is p53‐ and Bax‐dependent

The mechanisms of injury‐induced apoptosis of neurons within the spinal cord are not understood. We used a model of peripheral nerve‐spinal cord injury in the rat and mouse to induce motor neuron degeneration. In this animal model, unilateral avulsion of the sciatic nerve causes apoptosis of motor neurons. We tested the hypothesis that p53 and Bax regulate this neuronal apoptosis, and that DNA damage is an early upstream signal. Adult mice and rats received unilateral avulsions causing lumbar motor neurons to achieve endstage apoptosis at 7–14 days postlesion. This motor neuron apoptosis is blocked in bax^?/? and p53^?/? mice. Single‐cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), immunocytochemistry, and quantitative immunogold electron microscopy were used to measure molecular changes in motor neurons during the progression of apoptosis. Injured motor neurons accumulate single‐strand breaks in DNA by 5 days. p53 accumulates in nuclei of motor neurons destined to undergo apoptosis. p53 is functionally activated by 4–5 days postlesion, as revealed by immunodetection of phosphorylated p53. Preapoptotically, Bax translocates to mitochondria, cytochrome c accumulates in the cytoplasm, and caspase‐3 is activated. These results demonstrate that motor neuron apoptosis in the adult spinal cord is controlled by upstream mechanisms involving DNA damage and activation of p53 and downstream mechanisms involving upregulated Bax and cytochrome c and their translocation, accumulation of mitochondria, and activation of caspase‐3. We conclude that adult motor neuron death after nerve avulsion is DNA damage‐induced, p53‐ and Bax‐dependent apoptosis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 181–197, 2002; DOI 10.1002/neu.10026