Temporal changes in the level of neurotrophins in the spinal cord and associated precentral gyrus following spinal hemisection in adult Rhesus monkeys

Neurotrophins (NTs) appear to be crucial for the survival and potential regeneration of injured neurons. However, their temporal changes and remote regulations following spinal cord injury (SCI) have been only partially determined, especially in primates. In this study, ELISA was performed on the extracts of injured spinal cord and the associated precentral gyrus contralateral to the site of spinal cord hemisection to investigate the temporal changes in the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in adult rhesus monkeys subjected to T8 spinal hemisection. Animals were allowed to survive 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days post-operation (dpo). In the spinal cord, the levels of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 sharply decreased between 3 and 7dpo. Thereafter, the levels of NGF and BDNF were transiently elevated while NT-3 level continuously increased and recovered to normal level at 30dpo. In the contralateral precentral gyrus (cPG), only the NT-3 level was altered and in fact elevated above the normal value. No obvious changes were observed in NT-4 level in any of the regions studied. Taken together, the present findings indicated that intrinsic NGF, BDNF and NT-3 may play a local role in the responses to the SCI in primates. Especially, the increase of NT-3 level occurred continuously in both the cPG and the spinal cord pointed to a possible transportation of NT-3 to the cord following SCI.     

Expression of some neurotrophins in the spinal motoneurons after cord hemisection in adult rats

There are numerous studies reporting on the crucial roles of neurotrophins (NTFs) in neuronal survival and sprouting after spinal cord injury (SCI). But studies on endogenous changes of neurotrophins after SCI are few. In this study we explored by means of immunohistochemistry the localization of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 in the normal adult spinal cord (SC) and the changes in the expression of these chemicals in the ventral horn after right cord hemisection at T9-10. The results showed an obvious increase in the numbers of NGF, BDNF and NT-3-immunoreactive neurons in the ventral horn and also an increase in their intracellular optical density (O.D.) at 3, 7 and 21 days after cord hemisection, when compared with sham-operated rats. The expression of NGF peaked at 7 days postoperation (dpo), while BDNF and NT-3 expressions peaked at 3 dpo. Evaluation of hindlimb functions by Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) scoring showed that the hindlimb support and stepping function improved very quickly at 7 dpo. This study indicated that NGF, BDNF and NT-3 could play important but different roles in the mechanisms of spinal neuroplasticity at different times after SCI.     

脊髓半横断损伤后腹角神经元神经生长因子、脑源性神经营养因子、神经营养因子-3和神经营养因子-4表达的变化

目的:探讨大鼠脊髓半横断损伤(htSCI)后脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)、神经生长因子(NGF)、神经营养因子(NT-3、NT-4)在脊髓腹角神经元表达的早期变化。方法:免疫组织化学ABC法分别染4种神经因子并作阳性细胞计数。结果:NGF主要分布于脊髓腹角神经元的胞核,BDNF、NT-4与NT-3主要分布于胞浆。htSCI前后它们在细胞内的分布范围没有变化。BDNF、NGF与NT-3的3 d在损伤尾侧段脊髓双侧腹角阳性神经元数与对照组相比显著减少。BDNF与NGF的14 d的双侧腹角阳性神经元数量均较正常组明显增多,NT-3与NT-4的14 d~21 d的双侧腹角阳性神经元数量均较正常组明显增多,BDNF7~21 d以及NGF14 d的健侧的阳性神经元数量均分别多于相应的伤侧。结论:内源性BDNF、NGF、NT-3、NT-4增加对脊髓损伤修复具有重要作用,BDNF和NGF在健侧表达的增加说明健侧代偿功能的活跃。     

The effect of neurotrophin-3/chitosan carriers on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells

In this study, the behavior of neural stem cells from the newborn rat spinal cord was compared at neurosphere level after the addition of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) once or daily, blank chitosan carriers, or NT-3-chitosan carriers respectively. We found that NT-3 enhanced the viability and differentiation of neural stem cells, but as NT-3 has an extremely short half-life at 37 °C, in order to maintain the NT-3-mediated proliferation and differentiation effects on neural stem cells, NT-3 needed to be added to the medium every 24 h. However, NT-3-chitosan carriers dramatically increase the differentiation percentage of neural stem cells into neurons, which includes GABAergic and as cholinergic neurons. Although blank chitosan carriers also showed good biocompatibility to the neural stem cells, they induced the differentiation of these cells into neurons at a much lower percentage than the daily addition of NT-3 or the NT-3-chitosan carriers. Our results suggest that NT-3-chitosan carriers may not only maintain the viability of neural stem cells and increase their differentiation percentage into neurons, but also reduce the amount of NT-3 required for the survival and differentiation of these cells. These results may provide an experimental basis for the maximum replacement of dead neurons by neural stem cell transplant after spinal cord injury (SCI).     

神经营养因子-3对大鼠脊髓半横断后背根神经节c-Jun表达的影响

目的：研究神经营养因子-3(NT-3)对脊髓半横断后背根神经节c-Jun表达的影响，探索NT-3促进脊髓修复的作用机制。方法：将实验动物分为：对照组，损伤组和NT-3注射组，应用荧光免疫组化法结合激光扫描共聚焦显微镜，观察各组背根神经节c-Jun的表达，并计数细胞核完整的神经元数目。结果：脊髓损伤后，背根神经节的细胞内c-Jun的表达上调；NT-3注射组脊髓损伤侧背根神经节神经元的c-Jun表达明显上调，背根神经节内细胞核呈完整状态的神经元数量明显增多。结论：(1)c-Jun在轴突损伤后表达上调。(2)NT-3对轴突损伤后的神经元有保护作用。(3)NT-3可能通过使c-Jun表达上调而发挥其促神经再生作用。     

Effects of electro-acupuncture on NT-4 expression in spinal dorsal root ganglion and associated segments of the spinal dorsal horn in cats subjected to adjacent dorsal root ganglionectomy

It is well known that neuroplasticity occurs in the central nervous system in response to injury. Electro-acupuncture (EA) may also promote neuroplasticity. But little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms for the beneficial effects of EA. This study investigated the effects of EA on neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) expression in L(6) spinal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and associated segments of the spinal dorsal horn in cats subjected to unilateral removal of L(1)-L(5) and L(7)-S(2) DRG. NT-4 protein was normally present in the cytoplasm of the L(6) DRG neurons and L(3) and L(6) spinal dorsal horn neurons and glia. Adjacent ganglionectomy leads to a significant decrease in NT-4 expression in the L(6) DRG, but no change in the spinal dorsal horn. Following EA treatment a significant increase occurred in the L(6) DRG at 14 days post-operation (dpo) as well as the L(6) cord segment at 7 and 14 dpo. These findings pointed to a possible association between NT-4 expression and EA promoted spinal cord plasticity in adult cats subjected to partial ganglionectomy.     

In vitro analysis of PNIPAAm–PEG,a novel,injectable scaffold for spinal cord repair

Nervous tissue engineering in combination with other therapeutic strategies is an emerging trend for the treatment of different CNS disorders and injuries. We propose to use poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAAm–PEG) as a minimally invasive, injectable scaffold platform for the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). The scaffold allows cell attachment, and provides mechanical support and a sustained release of neurotrophins. In order to use PNIPAAm–PEG as an injectable scaffold for treatment of SCI, it must maintain its mass and volume over time in physiological conditions. To provide mechanical support at the injury site, it is also critical that the engineered scaffold matches the compressive modulus of the native neuronal tissue. This study focused on studying the ability of the scaffold to release bioactive neurotrophins and matching the material properties to those of the native neuronal tissue. We found that the release of both BDNF and NT-3 was sustained for up to 4 weeks, with a minimal burst exhibited for both neurotrophins. The bioactivity of the released NT-3 and BDNF was confirmed after 4 weeks. In addition, our results show that the PNIPAAm–PEG scaffold can be designed to match the desired mechanical properties of the native neuronal tissue, with a compressive modulus in the 3–5 kPa range. The scaffold was also compatible with bone marrow stromal cells, allowing their survival and attachment for up to 31 days. These results indicate that PNIPAAm–PEG is a promising multifunctional scaffold for the treatment of SCI.     

Actions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on spinal nociceptive transmission during inflammation in the rat

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether, and if so how, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) acts to develop the spinal sensitization underlying inflammation-induced hyperalgesia. In spinal cord slice preparations from rats with inflammation induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), BDNF, but not nerve growth factor (NGF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), acted presynaptically to increase the frequency of excitatory miniature EPSCs in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurones of the CFA-treated, but not untreated rats, through activation of lidocaine (lignocaine)-sensitive, TTX-resistant Na⁺ channels. This effect was observed in the spinal cord slices of the CFA-treated rat only 2–4 days after the CFA injection. On the other hand, the number of monosynaptic Aβ afferent inputs to the SG significantly increased 1 week after the onset of the inflammation, and this increase was significantly suppressed by treatment with anti-BDNF antiserum administered 1 day before and just after the CFA injection. In addition, the treatment with anti-BDNF antiserum significantly attenuated the CFA-induced hyperalgesia and/or allodynia. These findings, taken together, suggest that BDNF, which is considered to be released from the sensitized primary afferents, increases the excitability of SG neurones through its action on the presynaptic terminals. BDNF may thereafter induce monosynaptic Aβ afferents to the SG, thereby developing hyperalgesia and/or allodynia during inflammation.     

Adeno-associated viral vector-mediated neurotrophin gene transfer in the injured adult rat spinal cord improves hind-limb function

To foster axonal growth from a Schwann cell bridge into the caudal spinal cord, spinal cells caudal to the implant were transduced with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (AAV-NT-3). Control rats received AAV vectors encoding for green fluorescent protein or saline. AAV-BDNF- and AAV-NT-3-transduced 293 human kidney cells produced and secreted BDNF or NT-3, respectively, in vitro. The secreted neurotrophins were biologically active; they both promoted outgrowth of sensory neurites in vitro. In vivo, transgene expression was observed predominantly in neurons for at least 16 weeks after injection. Compared with controls, a modest though significant improvement in hind-limb function was found in rats that received AAV-BDNF and AAV-NT-3. Retrograde tracing demonstrated that twice as many neurons with processes extending toward the Schwann cell graft were present in the second lumbar cord segment of AAV-BDNF- and AAV-NT-3-injected animals compared with controls. We found no evidence, however, for growth of regenerated axons from the Schwann cell implant into the caudal cord.Our results suggest that AAV vector-mediated overexpression of BDNF and NT-3 in the cord caudal to a Schwann cell bridge modified the local lumbar axonal circuitry, which was beneficial for locomotor function.     

腺病毒介导的神经营养素-3基因能够在大鼠脊髓前角运动神经元内过表达神经营养素-3

目的观察腺病毒介导的神经营养素-3(NT-3)基因在发出坐骨神经传出纤维的大鼠脊髓前角运动神经元的过表达。方法在坐骨神经内直接注射含有绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因(报告基因)的NT-3基因重组腺病毒(Ad-NT-3-GFP),7d后应用免疫荧光组织化学染色技术,在荧光显微镜下观察脊髓前角运动神经元的NT-3过表达。结果 GFP表达组(对照组)和NT-3加GFP表达组两组动物的L4和L5脊髓段横切片上,有绿色荧光蛋白阳性标记的细胞。在NT-3加GFP表达组,还可以观察到NT-3阳性标记的细胞,这种细胞能与绿色荧光蛋白阳性标记的细胞重合,是过表达NT-3的前角运动神经元。与GFP表达组的前角运动神经元形态比较,NT-3加GFP表达组的过表达NT-3的前角运动神经元呈现更富有分支的突起。结论腺病毒介导的NT-3基因能够在发出坐骨神经传出纤维的大鼠脊髓前角运动神经元内过表达NT-3,这为下一歩应用NT-3基因治疗策略修复实验性脊髓损伤提供初歩的实验资料。     

Attenuation of mechanical hyperalgesia following spinal cord injury by administration of antibodies to nerve growth factor in the rat

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to central pain syndrome including hyperalgesia to mechanical stimulation. Since there is evidence that nerve growth factor (NGF) contributes to pain-related behaviors, we wished to determine if anti-NGF might inhibit abnormal somatosensory behaviors that develop following SCI in rats. SCI was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats by T13 spinal hemisection. After spinal hemisection, animals were untreated or treated daily with anti-NGF or saline intraperitoneally for 10 days. In groups of both hemisection only and hemisection with saline treatment, mechanical hyperalgesia developed in both hindlimbs, as evidenced by a decrease in paw withdrawal thresholds. Mechanical responsiveness of wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons on both sides of spinal cord also increased. The anti-NGF treated group demonstrated significant suppression of both mechanical hyperalgesia and increased WDR neuronal responsiveness. These results indicate that anti-NGF prevents the development of abnormal somatosensory behavior and suggest a potential pre-emptive analgesic treatment for central pain.     

Environmental factors involved in axonal regeneration following spinal cord transection in rats

A recent study of a rat model treated with grafted collagen filament (CF) after spinal cord transection showed dramatic recovery of motor function but did not report on the acute-stage phenomenon. In the present study, we describe molecular and histological aspects of the axonal regeneration process during the acute stage following spinal cord transection. The spinal cord of 8-week-old rats was completely transected, and a scaffold of almost the same size as the resected portion was implanted in the gap. Changes in the mRNA expression of four neurotrophic factors [nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)] were analyzed after 72 h. The expression of BDNF and NT-3 mRNA increased significantly in the CF-grafted group compared to the nongrafted group. Immunostaining for BDNF and NT-3 revealed that cells positive for these neurotrophic factors extended along the collagen filaments in the CF-grafted group. Similarly, astrocytes extended into the collagen filament scaffold together with the neurotrophic factors and partly across a border line. These findings indicate that collagen filament helps to reduce scar tissue, supports the expression of neurotrophic factors, and serves as a scaffold for the outgrowth of regenerating axons.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor reduces necrotic zone and supports neuronal survival after spinal cord hemisection in adult rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in necrotic changes leading to cavity formation and glial scar tissue in the lesion zone. We have examined the effects of continuous topical administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on cavity formation and neuronal death after SCI. Following retrograde prelabeling of the tibial motoneurons in the L4–L6 spinal cord segments with the fluorescent dye Fast blue, a spinal hemisection was performed in the L5 segment. At 4 weeks postoperatively, only 66% of the labeled motoneurons remained in the untreated animals, while BDNF treatment resulted in a significant reduction in size of the lesion cavity and 92% motoneuron survival. A therapeutic potential of BDNF in the early treatment of SCI is suggested.     

BDNF and NT-3 regulation of trkB and trkC mRNA levels in the developing chick spinal cord

In this study we investigated the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 on mRNA levels of TrkB and TrkC receptors. We used an expression system to supply developing chicks with the neurotrophic factor and then analysed the receptor mRNA levels at embryonic day 8 (E8), E10 and E15 using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In control chicks, maximal expression levels of both receptors were observed at E10. Treatment with BDNF resulted in significant down-regulation of TrkB mRNA levels (P<0.05) at E10 but not E8 or E15. Treatment with NT-3 showed down-regulation of trkB levels at all developmental stages. TrkC mRNA levels were down-regulated at all developmental stages with NT-3 treatment and at E10 and E15 with BDNF treatment. For both receptors the down-regulation was greater in NT-3-treated chicks than those treated with BDNF. Thus, our data indicate that neurotrophin receptor mRNA levels in the spinal cord are regulated by neurotrophic factors during embryonic development.     

Differential neurotrophin levels in cerebrospinal fluid and their changes during development in newborn rat

Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) was measured in normal developing rat from birth to postnatal day (PND) 21 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NGF levels were significantly higher than those of BDNF and NT-3 from PND 1–21. NGF levels decreased from PND 1–3 to PND 9. At PND 15 and 17, NGF levels peaked a second time and rapidly decreased to PND 21. BDNF peaked at PND 13–15, while NT-3 levels peaked at PND 7–9. Each of the three neurotrophins has its own characteristic pattern in changes in cerebrospinal fluid levels.     

Afferent input modulates neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord

The effects of eliminating or decreasing neuromuscular activity on the expression of neurotrophins and associated molecules in the spinal cord and subsequent effects on spinal cord plasticity were determined. Spinal cord isolation (SI), which eliminates any supraspinal and peripheral monosynaptic input to the lumbar region but maintains the motoneuron-muscle connectivity, decreased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) mRNA and protein in the isolated segments. Synapsin I, an important mediator for the effects of BDNF on synaptic plasticity, also was lower in the lumbar region of SI rats. In contrast, the levels of BDNF, synapsin, and growth-associated protein (GAP-43) were increased in the cervical spinal cord enlargement rostral to the isolated region, most likely reflecting an increased use of the forelimbs in the SI rats. GAP-43 levels were also increased in the lumbar spinal cord region, probably associated with compensatory mechanisms related to the deafferentation. In a separate set of experiments, the soleus muscle was paralyzed unilaterally via intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection to determine the effects of reducing the propioceptive input, of this normally highly active muscle on neurotrophin expression in the spinal cord. BDNF and synapsin I mRNAs were lower and NT-3 levels were higher in the lumbar hemicord ipsilateral to the BTX-A injection. Combined, these results indicate that the level of supraspinal and muscle afferent input plays an important role in modulating the levels of BDNF and NT-3 in the spinal cord.     

BDNF-exercise interactions in the recovery of symmetrical stepping after a cervical hemisection in rats

Clinical evidence indicates that motor training facilitates functional recovery after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a powerful synaptic facilitator and likely plays a key role in motor and sensory functions. Spinal cord hemisection decreases the levels of BDNF below the injury site, and exercise can counteract this decrease [Ying Z, Roy RR, Edgerton VR, Gomez-Pinilla F (2005) Exercise restores levels of neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity following spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 193:411-419]. It is not clear, however, whether the exercise-induced increases in BDNF play a role in mediating the recovery of locomotion after a SCI. We performed a lateral cervical ( approximately C4) hemisection in adult rats. Seven days after hemisection, the BDNF inhibitor trkB IgG was injected into the cervical spinal cord below the lesion ( approximately C5-C6). Half of the rats were exposed to voluntary running wheels for 14 days. Locomotor ability was assessed by determining the symmetry between the contralateral (unaffected) vs. the ipsilateral (affected) forelimb at the most optimum treadmill speed for each rat. Sedentary and exercised rats with BDNF inhibition showed a higher level of asymmetry during the treadmill locomotion test than rats not treated with the BDNF inhibitor. In hemisected rats, exercise normalized the levels of molecules important for synaptic function, such as cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and synapsin I, in the ipsilateral cervical enlargement, whereas the BDNF blocker lessened these exercise-associated effects. The results indicate that BDNF levels play an important role in shaping the synaptic plasticity and in defining the level of recovery of locomotor performance after a SCI.     

神经营养因子(NGF、NT-3、BDNF及CNTF)和受体trkA、trkB、trkC在正常大鼠脊髓和胳鼠脊髓移植体的免疫组织化学研究

本研究采用免疫组织化学方法观察了NGF家族（NGF、NT－3、BDNF）和非NGF家族的CNTF以及NGF家族因子受体trkA、trkB、trkC在正常大鼠脊髓腰段的分布和胎鼠脊髓移植体在移植后4周的表达。在正常大鼠脊髓腰段,各神经营养因子及受体反应物主要存在于脊髓灰质,特别是前角的运动神经元。但在脊髓后角的分布稍有不同,BDNF阳性细胞的胞浆染色较深,胞核不染色;而NT－3的胞核染色较胞浆为深,核仁不染色。在胎鼠脊髓移植体,NGF、BDNF、CNTF和NT－3及受体trkA、trkB、trkC均有不同程度的染色。本实验结果揭示了在正常大鼠脊髓神经元内各神经营养因子及受体的表达,提示神经营养因子除具有靶源性来源以外,还有神经元自分泌的产物。而在胎鼠移植体内和其周围组织神经营养因子及其受体的表达,可能是在移植体内的移植细胞自分泌和成鼠脊髓损伤的刺激所引起的,这在移植体的存活和发育中有重要作用。     

BDNF,NGF和NT-3的mRNA和蛋白在猫左侧腰第六背根节共表达的不同方式(英文)

本实验研究了脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF),神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)和神经营养因子-3(neurotrophin-3,NT-3)的mRNA和蛋白在猫左侧腰第六背根节(dorsal root ganglion,DRG)共表达的不同方式,并探讨了共表达的机制,为阐明神经营养因子的表达与脊髓可塑性的关系提供依据。本实验所使用的为未接受任何处理的健康猫。猫的左侧腰第六DRG被取出,行免疫组织化学染色与原位杂交方法结合的双重标记,确定是否有BDNF,NGF和NT-3的蛋白与mRNA共表达。实验结果显示BDNF,NGF和NT-3的蛋白与mRNA在猫DRG均有表达,但这三种神经营养因子mRNA和蛋白共表达的方式是不同的。免疫组化结果显示:BDNF阳性产物主要分布于细胞质和细胞核,细胞核的染色颜色较细胞质浅;NGF阳性产物主要分布于细胞核;NT-3阳性产物主要分布于细胞质。原位杂交结果显示:BDNF和NGF阳性信号主要分布于细胞质;NT-3阳性信号在细胞质和细胞核都有分布。由此可见,BDNF,NGF和NT-3的mRNA和蛋白在猫左侧腰第六DRG有不同的共表达方式,提示它们可能存在与脊髓可塑性有关的自分泌和/或旁分泌机制。     

一种新颖的神经胶质细胞-嗅鞘细胞

嗅鞘细胞(OECs)移植治疗脊髓损伤(SC I)已显示出良好的应用前景,不同来源的OECs体外培养时,在不同发育阶段和不同生长环境中具有不同的生物学特性。OECs具有特异性的标志蛋白,如S-100、p75NTR、GFAP等。体外培养的OECs分泌NGF、BDNF、NT-3/4、GDNF等多种促进神经细胞生长、分化和神经纤维再生的神经营养因子。将OECs植入脊髓损伤部位,该细胞能分裂增殖,并可抑制胶质瘢痕的形成,拮抗Nogo等神经再生抑制性因子的活性,包绕再生轴突形成髓鞘。由于OECs具有上述独特的生物学功能,被认为是继神经干细胞和雪旺氏细胞之后可用于移植治疗脊髓损伤的一种新颖的神经胶质细胞。