骨髓间充质干细胞移植修复大鼠半横断脊髓损伤

目的初步探讨骨髓间充质干细胞诱导为神经细胞,及其移植对大鼠脊髓半横断损伤神经功能恢复和运动的影响。方法贴壁培养法分离培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs),大鼠脊髓匀浆上清诱导第3代向神经细胞分化,经免疫组化鉴定分化后细胞的性质。制备大鼠半横断脊髓损伤模型,脊髓损伤局部注射BrdU标记诱导后的神经细胞。细胞移植5周后观察移植细胞在脊髓内存活分布情况。结果倒置显微镜下可见MSCs呈纺锤形和多角形,有1~2个核仁,经脊髓匀浆上清诱导后,发出数个细长突起,并交织成网,诱导后的细胞表达Nestin,可推测诱导后的细胞为MSCs源神经细胞。5周后移植的MSCs在宿主损伤脊髓内聚集并存活,表达MAP-2、NF、GFAP与对照组比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。大鼠运动功能较移植前有所改善。结论MSCs经脊髓匀浆上清诱导后移植治疗大鼠半横断脊髓损伤可使运动功能得到改善。     

HRP法对异种神经移植后再生纤维恢复的形态学研究

目的用辣根过氧化酶(HRP)逆行追踪技术探讨异种神经移植后神经纤维的再生.方法将多次冻融处理后的兔胫神经移植于大鼠坐骨神经,术后第2、4、6、8和10周,将HRP注人大鼠坐骨神经吻合部远侧端.结果移植术后第4周起在L4～5脊神经节见到HRP标记细胞,从第6周在腰段脊髓前角内见到标记细胞,其数量随术后存活期延长而增多.术后4周在移植神经内见少量再生神经纤维,6周后再生神经纤维穿过异种移植神经进入大鼠坐骨神经远侧端.结论自移植术后4周起,移植神经内已有再生纤维并部分恢复了轴浆流,证实了用HRP法可反映移植后神经纤维的再生情况.     

移植BMMSCs-蚕丝蛋白生物支架对急性大鼠脊髓半切损伤修复的影响

目的:以蚕丝蛋白支架(silk fibroin porous scaffolds SFPS)接种骨髓基质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMMSCs)移植入SD大鼠脊髓半切损伤模型内,观察BMMSCs-SFPS复合生物支架对损伤脊髓的修复作用.方法:密度梯度离心法提取、贴壁法培养BMMSCs,取第三代对数生长期细胞,采用注射法制备BMMSCs-SFPS复合支架,复合14天进行生物相容性检测.40只SD大鼠复制脊髓半切损伤模型后随机分配为四组(n=10):A组BMMSCs-SFPS联合移植、B组单独移植BMMSCs、C组单独移植SFPS、D组为空白对照组,移植后分别于1、2、3、4周进行运动功能评分和术后4周进行HE染色观察、免疫荧光检测.结果:BMMSCs-SFPS复合支架体外培养14天后,扫描电镜可见BMMSCs附于SFPS支架内表面生长,细胞贴附良好并互有接触.移植入脊髓半切损伤模型后4周进行HE染色,结果显示A组脊髓空洞较其余三组小,免疫荧光检测结果示A组NF200、Nestin阳性表达高于B、C、D组,A组GFAP表达则明显低于其余三组.A组术后2～4周Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB)评分均高于同期B、C、D组,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),D组评分明显低于同期其他3组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:BMMSCs-SPFS具有良好生物相容性,复合支架保证BMMSCs的存活数量、能抑制胶质瘢痕.BMMSCS-SFPS复合生物支架能发挥协同作用,促进脊髓半切损伤的大鼠运动功能恢复.     

移植骨髓间充质干细胞源性神经元样细胞治疗大鼠脊髓损伤

目的:研究骨髓间充质干细胞源性神经元样细胞移植治疗成鼠脊髓损伤的可行性。方法:选取成年SD大鼠32只,两只用以提取骨髓间充质干细胞,其余被分为3组,其中细胞移植组10只,PBS缓冲液组10只,空白对照组10只。骨髓间充质干细胞分离传代培养并诱导成神经元样细胞后用Hoechst33342标记,损伤1周后采取静脉注射移植的方法移植于大鼠脊髓损伤区,移植六周后用免疫荧光方法检测细胞的存活及与宿主脊髓的整合情况。脊髓损伤后的1~6周对各组动物进行BBB评分,用SPSS12.0进行数据分析。结果:细胞移植组动物的BBB评分提高显著,于其他两组差异有统计学意义。细胞移植组免疫荧光显示,移植细胞在体内大量存活并桥接于脊髓损伤区的两端,存活的多数细胞神经元特异性标记物NSE、NF-200、星形胶质细胞特异性标记物GFAP表达呈阳性。结论:移植定向诱导的神经元样细胞有助于大鼠脊髓损伤后的功能恢复。     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用及GFAP相关机制

目的:探讨三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用以及对GFAP表达变化的影响.方法:健康成年雌性SD大鼠63只,随机分为正常组,溶媒对照组,三七总皂苷组,大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水.术后1d,3d,7d,14d,21d,28d进行BBB评分行为学检测;动物存活1d、3d、7d、14d、 28d,运用免疫组织化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端GFAP表达的变化.结果:BBB评分显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,其中损伤后7d和14d的评分明显高于溶媒对照组.免疫组化结果显示脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后.脊髓远侧段 GFAP的表达损伤侧均强于对侧,损伤侧灰质GFAP的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dGFAP的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组.三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,GFAP表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点GFAP的表达弱于对照组,尤其是3d、7d.结论:三七总皂苷能抑制脊髓半横断损伤后星形胶质细胞的活化,这可能是其促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一.     

伸长细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤后运动功能及运动诱发电位的影响

目的:研究伸长细胞是否可以促进成年大鼠脊髓损伤后传导束再生。方法:采用Wistar大鼠脊髓T8全横断模型,移植传代培养的伸长细胞,以未移植脊髓损伤组为对照,观察两组损伤后第12周末BBB评分,损伤平面以下红核-脊髓运动诱发电位,和横断部位组织学染色结果。结果:第12周末伸长细胞移植组红核脊髓运动诱发电位总峰值显著高于对照组(MD=133.2μV,P0.01),峰潜伏期较对照组缩短(MD=0.061ms,P=0.040);第12周末伸长细胞移植组BBB评分显著高于对照组(MD=5.0000,P0.01);第12周末脊髓横断部位HE染色显示伸长细胞移植组脊髓损伤处结构较完整。结论:伸长细胞移植可以促进大鼠脊髓损伤后神经传导的恢复。     

人脐血间充质干细胞诱导分化为神经细胞的研究

目的探讨体外诱导人脐血间充质干细胞(MSCs)向神经细胞分化的条件,为治疗中枢神经系统损伤提供实用的干细胞来源。方法体外分离、纯化、扩增脐血MSCs,流式细胞仪检测细胞表面标志。采用脑源性神经营养因子BDNF 10ng/ml 维甲酸RA0.5μM 碱性成纤维生长因子bFGF 20ng/ml协同诱导脐血MSCs定向分化。免疫荧光染色检测诱导后细胞的星形胶质细胞特异标志GFAP及神经元特异标志MAP2的表达情况。建立大鼠脊髓横断损伤模型,将BrdU标记的诱导后的细胞移植入损伤的脊髓中,采用BBB运动功能评分标准在术后24h及1、2、3、4、5周各时间点对大鼠进行运动功能评分。用组织学和免疫组化方法检测移植到大鼠脊髓中的BrdU阳性细胞的存活、迁移、分化情况。结果脐血MSCs体外培养三代后,细胞表面CD11b、CD34、CD45和CD44表达阴性。诱导分化7d后,大部分细胞的形态类似神经元,免疫荧光染色检测MAP2阳性细胞占大多数,明显多于GFAP阳性细胞。5周后,细胞移植组大鼠的后肢运动功能恢复情况较对照组好。免疫组织化学结果显示植入的细胞可长时间在宿主脊髓中存活,并向损伤处两端迁移。结论人脐血MSCs于体外在特定的条件下可以诱导分化为神经元样细胞。移植脐血MSCs诱导后的神经细胞可在损伤的脊髓中存活、迁移,并能促进脊髓损伤后行为和功能恢复。     

部分股骨移植:一个新的带血管的骨髓移植模型

目的:大鼠后肢移植是带血管的骨髓移植的主要模型,同时含有骨髓和骨髓微环境,有利于免疫耐受的诱导.但其成分复杂,为研究其中骨髓的作用,构建一个成分相对单一的带血管的骨髓移植模型.方法:以MHC不相符的近交系Lewis和BN大鼠分别作为供体或受体,将含血管蒂的供体2/3股骨移植到受体腹股沟区,显微吻合供受体间的股动静脉.实验分为3组:同基因移植组Lewis→Lewis;排斥组Lewis→BN;免疫抑制组Lewis→BN,术后给予环孢素A.通过大体和病理学检查观察各组移植物存活情况,外周血流式监测排斥组和免疫抑制组的嵌合水平.结果:术后7d,排斥组排斥反应显著,骨髓细胞明显减少、坏死,外周血嵌合水平几乎为0,而同基因移植组股骨存活良好,骨髓HE染色大致正常,可见髓腔内有大量的嗜碱性骨髓细胞;术后60 d,同系移植组和免疫抑制组的大体观察及组织病理学大致相同,均证实移植物存活良好,同时流式可见免疫抑制组术后7、28、60 d外周血中存在供体特异性的嵌合.结论:带血管蒂的部分股骨移植物是一个简便可靠的带血管的骨髓移植模型,嵌合分析表明其具有诱导耐受的潜能,有利于阐明异体复合组织中骨髓对免疫耐受诱导的作用和机制.     

罗哌卡因抑制脊髓胶质细胞的激活而减轻CCI大鼠的神经病理性疼痛

目的:通过硬膜外注射局麻药罗哌卡因,评价其对神经病理性疼痛模型大鼠的作用及其机制.方法:在坐骨神经损伤神经病理性疼痛大鼠模型(CCI)术后7d,进行硬膜外置管手术,在术后8d和11d由硬膜外导管注入罗哌卡因,观测CCI大鼠机械痛阈(PWT)和脊髓后角纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的变化.结果:硬膜外注射罗哌卡因能够升高CCI大鼠患肢的机械痛阈,降低脊髓后角GFAP的表达.结论:在CCI大鼠模型硬膜外注射罗哌卡因可以较长时间抑制脊髓胶质细胞的激活,从而减轻神经病理性疼痛.     

间充质干细胞-透明质酸-多聚赖氨酸治疗脊髓损伤的实验研究

目的研究间充质干细胞—透明质酸—多聚赖氨酸复合物治疗脊髓损伤的可行性,评价其治疗效果并探讨其可能机制。方法从人骨髓中分离、培养人骨髓间充质干细胞（human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell,hBMSC）;制作大鼠脊髓半横断模型,按照实验分组分别将hBMSC、透明质酸-多聚赖氨酸（hyaluronic acid-poly-L-lysine,HA-PLL）、hBMSC-HA-PLL复合物注入损伤区域,单纯损伤组作为对照。术后按照不同时间点评价损伤和移植后的大鼠运动功能。8周后杀死大鼠,观察不同移植组体内轴突和血管生长的情况,对不同细胞、材料及复合物移植对大鼠脊髓损伤修复效果进行评估。结果 hBMSC移植组和hBMSC-HA-PLL移植组的大鼠运动功能的改善显著好于单纯损伤及HA-PLL移植组。电镜结果证实复合物移植组可显著促进轴突和血管生长,新生的轴突和血管结构较为完整。结论 hBMSC具有促进神经功能恢复的作用,将其与HA-PLL相结合,可以促进大鼠脊髓损伤修复,其机制可能包括材料框架作用和hBMSC在体内对大鼠神经细胞的营养作用以及促进微血管的生成。     

5-Hydroxytryptophan-induced respiratory recovery after cervical spinal cord hemisection in rats.

The present study investigates the role of serotonin in respiratory recovery after spinal cord injury. Experiments were conducted on C(2) spinal cord hemisected, anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated rats in which end-tidal CO(2) was monitored and maintained. Before drug administration, the phrenic nerve ipsilateral to hemisection showed no respiratory-related activity due to the disruption of the descending bulbospinal respiratory pathways by spinal cord hemisection. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a serotonin precursor, was administrated intravenously. 5-HTP induced time- and dose-dependent increases in respiratory recovery in the phrenic nerve ipsilateral to hemisection. Although the 5-HTP-induced recovery was initially accompanied by an increase in activity in the contralateral phrenic nerve, suggesting an increase in descending respiratory drive, the recovery persisted well after activity in the contralateral nerve returned to predrug levels. 5-HTP-induced effects were reversed by a serotonin receptor antagonist, methysergide. Because experiments were conducted on animals subjected to C(2) spinal cord hemisection, the recovery was most likely mediated by the activation of a latent respiratory pathway spared by the spinal cord injury. The results suggest that serotonin is an important neuromodulator in the unmasking of the latent respiratory pathway after spinal cord injury. In addition, the results also suggest that the maintenance of 5-HTP-induced respiratory recovery may not require a continuous enhancement of central respiratory drive.     

Neuroprotective effects of N-acetyl-cysteine and acetyl-L-carnitine after spinal cord injury in adult rats

Following the initial acute stage of spinal cord injury, a cascade of cellular and inflammatory responses will lead to progressive secondary damage of the nerve tissue surrounding the primary injury site. The degeneration is manifested by loss of neurons and glial cells, demyelination and cyst formation. Injury to the mammalian spinal cord results in nearly complete failure of the severed axons to regenerate. We have previously demonstrated that the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) can attenuate retrograde neuronal degeneration after peripheral nerve and ventral root injury. The present study evaluates the effects of NAC and ALC on neuronal survival, axonal sprouting and glial cell reactions after spinal cord injury in adult rats. Tibial motoneurons in the spinal cord were pre-labeled with fluorescent tracer Fast Blue one week before lumbar L5 hemisection. Continuous intrathecal infusion of NAC (2.4 mg/day) or ALC (0.9 mg/day) was initiated immediately after spinal injury using Alzet 2002 osmotic minipumps. Neuroprotective effects of treatment were assessed by counting surviving motoneurons and by using quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for neuronal and glial cell markers 4 weeks after hemisection. Spinal cord injury induced significant loss of tibial motoneurons in L4-L6 segments. Neuronal degeneration was associated with decreased immunostaining for microtubular-associated protein-2 (MAP2) in dendritic branches, synaptophysin in presynaptic boutons and neurofilaments in nerve fibers. Immunostaining for the astroglial marker GFAP and microglial marker OX42 was increased. Treatment with NAC and ALC rescued approximately half of the motoneurons destined to die. In addition, antioxidants restored MAP2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity. However, the perineuronal synaptophysin labeling was not recovered. Although both treatments promoted axonal sprouting, there was no effect on reactive astrocytes. In contrast, the microglial reaction was significantly attenuated. The results indicate a therapeutic potential for NAC and ALC in the early treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury.     

Study of effect of embryonic anlage allografts of the rat spinal cord on growth of regenerating fibers of the recipient nerve

A comparative study of the effect of tissue and suspension allografts of an embryonic spinal cord on regeneration of nerve fibers of impaired (by application of a ligature) sciatic nerve in rats was conducted. It was demonstrated that unlike tissue grafts that reach a large volume 21 and 60 days after transplantation, suspension grafts do not inhibit the growth of axons of the recipient to the periphery. It was established that introduction of a suspension of dissociated cells of the spinal cord embryonic anlages (but not fragments of these anlages) into the impaired sciatic nerve in rats results in an increase in the amount of myelinated regenerating nerve fibers of the recipient 60 days after the operation.     

Thoracic Hemisection in Rats Results in Initial Recovery Followed by a Late Decrement in Locomotor Movements,with Changes in Coordination Correlated with Serotonergic Innervation of the Ventral Horn

Lateral thoracic hemisection of the rodent spinal cord is a popular model of spinal cord injury, in which the effects of various treatments, designed to encourage locomotor recovery, are tested. Nevertheless, there are still inconsistencies in the literature concerning the details of spontaneous locomotor recovery after such lesions, and there is a lack of data concerning the quality of locomotion over a long time span after the lesion. In this study, we aimed to address some of these issues. In our experiments, locomotor recovery was assessed using EMG and CatWalk recordings and analysis. Our results showed that after hemisection there was paralysis in both hindlimbs, followed by a substantial recovery of locomotor movements, but even at the peak of recovery, which occurred about 4 weeks after the lesion, some deficits of locomotion remained present. The parameters that were abnormal included abduction, interlimb coordination and speed of locomotion. Locomotor performance was stable for several weeks, but about 3–4 months after hemisection secondary locomotor impairment was observed with changes in parameters, such as speed of locomotion, interlimb coordination, base of hindlimb support, hindlimb abduction and relative foot print distance. Histological analysis of serotonergic innervation at the lumbar ventral horn below hemisection revealed a limited restoration of serotonergic fibers on the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord, while on the contralateral side of the spinal cord it returned to normal. In addition, the length of these fibers on both sides of the spinal cord correlated with inter- and intralimb coordination. In contrast to data reported in the literature, our results show there is not full locomotor recovery after spinal cord hemisection. Secondary deterioration of certain locomotor functions occurs with time in hemisected rats, and locomotor recovery appears partly associated with reinnervation of spinal circuitry by serotonergic fibers.     

Recovery of baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity after spinal lesions in the rat

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has serious long-term consequences on sympathetic cardiovascular regulation. Orthostatic intolerance results from insufficient baroreflex regulation (BR) of sympathetic outflow to maintain proper blood pressure upon postural changes. Autonomic dysreflexia occurs due to insufficient inhibition of spinal sources of sympathetic activity. Both of these conditions result from the inability to control sympathetic activity caudal to SCI. It is well established that limited motor ability recovers after incomplete SCI. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine whether recovery of BR occurs after chronic, left thoracic spinal cord hemisection at either T(3) or T(8). Baroreflex tests were performed in rats by measuring the reflex response of left (ipsilateral) renal sympathetic nerve activity to decreases and increases in arterial pressure produced by ramped infusions of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine, respectively. One week after a T(3) left hemisection, BR function was modestly impaired. However, 8 wk after a T(3) left hemisection, BR function was normal. One week after a T(8) left hemisection, BR function was significantly impaired, and 8 wk after a T(8) left hemisection, BR function was significantly improved. These results indicate that BR of renal sympathetic nerve activity in rats may partially recover after spinal cord hemisections, becoming normal by 8 wk after a T(3) lesion, but not after a T(8) lesion. The nature of the spinal cord and/or brain stem reorganization that mediates this recovery remains to be determined.     

Bridging Schwann cell transplants promote axonal regeneration from both the rostral and caudal stumps of transected adult rat spinal cord

Transplantation of cellular components of the permissive peripheral nerve environment in some types of spinal cord injury holds great promise to support regrowth of axons through the site of injury. In the present study, Schwann cell grafts were positioned between transected stumps of adult rat thoracic spinal cord to test their efficacy to serve as bridges for axonal regeneration. Schwann cells were purified in culture from adult rat sciatic nerve, suspended in Matrigel:DMEM (30:70), and drawn into polymeric guidance channels 8mm long at a density of 120×106 cells ml-1. Adult Fischer rat spinal cords were transected at the T8 cord level and the next caudal segment was removed. Each cut stump was inserted 1mm into the channel. One month later, a bridge between the severed stumps had been formed, as determined by the gross and histological appearance and the ingrowth of propriospinal axons from both stumps. Propriospinal neurons (mean, 1064±145 SEM) situated as far away as levels C3 and S4 were labelled by retrograde tracing with Fast Blue injected into the bridge. Near the bridge midpoint there was a mean of 1990±594 myelinated axons and eight times as many nonmyelinated, ensheathed axons. Essentially no myelinated or unmyelinated axons were observed in control Matrigel-only grafts. Brainstem neurons were not retrogradely labelled from the graft, consistent with growth of immunoreactive serotonergic and noradrenergic axons only a short distance into the rostral end of the graft, not far enough to reach the tracer placed at the graft midpoint. Anterograde tracing with PHA-L introduced rostral to the graft demonstrated that axons extended the length of the graft but essentially did not leave the graft. This study demonstrates that Schwann cell grafts serve as bridges that support (1) regrowth of both ascending and descending axons across a gap in the adult rat spinal cord and (2) limited regrowth of serotonergic and noradrenergic fibres from the rostral stump. Regrowth of monoaminergic fibres into grafts was not seen in an earlier study of similar grafts placed inside distally capped rather than open-ended channels. Additional intervention will be required to foster growth of the regenerated axons from the graft into the distal cord tissue.     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后BDNF 的表达及运动功能的影响

目的:探讨三七总皂苷(total panax notoginseng saponins,tPNS)对脊髓半横断损伤后对脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-derivedneurotrophic factor,BDNF)表达以及运动功能恢复的作用的影响。方法:大鼠随机分为正常组和实验组,实验组大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断模型,损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水。术后进行BBB评分和斜板实验检测;动物分别存活1d、3d、7d、14d、28d后,采用免疫荧光化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端BDNF表达的变化。结果:BBB评分及斜板实验结果显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,尤其是损伤后7d和14d,三七总皂苷组评分明显高于溶媒对照组。免疫组化结果显示:脊髓半横断损伤后,损伤远侧端损伤侧BDNF的表达强于对侧,损伤侧BDNF的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dBDNF的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组。三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,BDNF表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点BDNF的表达强于对照组,尤其是3d、7d。结论:三七总皂苷能增强脊髓半横断损伤后BDNF的表达,这可能是其改善脊髓再生的微环境,促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一。     

Repair of spinal cord transection and its effects on muscle mass and myosin heavy chain isoform phenotype.

A number of significant advances have been developed for treating spinal cord injury during the past two decades. The combination of peripheral nerve grafts and acidic fibroblast growth factor (hereafter referred to as PNG) has been shown to partially restore hindlimb function. However, very little is known about the effects of such treatments in restoring normal muscle phenotype. The primary goal of the current study was to test the hypothesis that PNG would completely or partially restore 1) muscle mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area and 2) the slow myosin heavy chain phenotype of the soleus muscle. To test this hypothesis, we assigned female Sprague-Dawley rats to three groups: 1) sham control, 2) spinal cord transection (Tx), and 3) spinal cord transection plus PNG (Tx+PNG). Six months following spinal cord transection, the open-field test was performed to assess locomotor function, and then the soleus muscles were harvested and analyzed. SDS-PAGE for single muscle fiber was used to evaluate the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression pattern following the injury and treatment. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify serotonin (5-HT) fibers in the spinal cord. Compared with the Tx group, the Tx+PNG group showed 1) significantly improved Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores (hindlimb locomotion test), 2) less muscle atrophy, 3) a higher percentage of slow type I fibers, and 4) 5-HT fibers distal to the lesion site. We conclude that the combined treatment of PNG is partially effective in restoring the muscle mass and slow phenotype of the soleus muscle in a T-8 spinal cord-transected rat model.     

The crossed phrenic phenomenon: a model for plasticity in the respiratory pathways following spinal cord injury.

Hemisection of the cervical spinal cord rostral to the level of the phrenic nucleus interrupts descending bulbospinal respiratory pathways, which results in a paralysis of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm. In several mammalian species, functional recovery of the paretic hemidiaphragm can be achieved by transecting the contralateral phrenic nerve. The recovery of the paralyzed hemidiaphragm has been termed the "crossed phrenic phenomenon." The physiological basis for the crossed phrenic phenomenon is as follows: asphyxia induced by spinal hemisection and contralateral phrenicotomy increases central respiratory drive, which activates a latent crossed respiratory pathway. The uninjured, initially latent pathway mediates the hemidiaphragm recovery by descending into the spinal cord contralateral to the hemisection and then crossing the midline of the spinal cord before terminating on phrenic motoneurons ipsilateral and caudal to the hemisection. The purpose of this study is to review work conducted on the crossed phrenic phenomenon and to review closely related studies focusing particularly on the plasticity associated with the response. Because the review deals with recovery of respiratory muscles paralyzed by spinal cord injury, the clinical relevance of the reviewed studies is highlighted.     

RGMa inhibition promotes axonal growth and recovery after spinal cord injury

Repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) is a protein implicated in both axonal guidance and neural tube closure. We report RGMa as a potent inhibitor of axon regeneration in the adult central nervous system (CNS). RGMa inhibits mammalian CNS neurite outgrowth by a mechanism dependent on the activation of the RhoA-Rho kinase pathway. RGMa expression is observed in oligodendrocytes, myelinated fibers, and neurons of the adult rat spinal cord and is induced around the injury site after spinal cord injury. We developed an antibody to RGMa that efficiently blocks the effect of RGMa in vitro. Intrathecal administration of the antibody to rats with thoracic spinal cord hemisection results in significant axonal growth of the corticospinal tract and improves functional recovery. Thus, RGMa plays an important role in limiting axonal regeneration after CNS injury and the RGMa antibody offers a possible therapeutic agent in clinical conditions characterized by a failure of CNS regeneration.