Small molecule inhibitor of type I transforming growth factor-β receptor kinase ameliorates the inhibitory milieu in injured brain and promotes regeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a multifunctional cytokine, plays a crucial role in wound healing in the damaged central nervous system. To examine effects of the TGF-β signaling inhibition on formation of scar tissue and axonal regeneration, the small molecule inhibitor of type I TGF-β receptor kinase LY-364947 was continuously infused in the lesion site of mouse brain after a unilateral transection of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. At 2 weeks after injury, the fibrotic scar comprising extracellular matrix molecules including fibronectin, type IV collagen, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans was formed in the lesion center, and reactive astrocytes were increased around the fibrotic scar. In the brain injured and infused with LY-364947, fibrotic scar formation was suppressed and decreased numbers of reactive astrocytes occupied the lesion site. Although leukocytes and serum IgG were observed within the fibrotic scar in the injured brain, they were almost absent in the injured and LY-364947-treated brain. At 2 weeks after injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers barely extended beyond the fibrotic scar in the injured brain, but numerous TH-immunoreactive fibers regenerated over the lesion site in the LY-364947-treated brain. These results indicate that inhibition of TGF-β signaling suppresses formation of the fibrotic scar and creates a permissive environment for axonal regeneration.     

Krüppel-like factor 2(KLF2), a potential target for neuroregeneration

<正>Neurological disorders and injuries lead to the impairment or depletion of neurons in terms of quantity, structure, or function, resulting in the loss of cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities in human beings. This, in turn, accompanies the shortfall of valuable human resources and economic potential, causing a detriment to society. Addressing these challenges, therefore,     

Is ATP a key player in conditioning neurons to support axonal regeneration?

正Neurons in the central nervous system(CNS)of adult mammals have a weak intrinsic regenerative capacity,which is one contributing factor to the failure of axonal regeneration.Finding the means to elevate the regenerative capacity of axotomised neurons is one requirement for successful regeneration.Forty-five years ago,it was     

Deletion of α-neurexin II results in autism-related behaviors in mice

Autism is a common and frequently disabling neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic basis. Human genetic studies have discovered mutations disrupting exons of the NRXN2 gene, which encodes the synaptic adhesion protein α-neurexin II (Nrxn2α), in two unrelated individuals with autism, but a causal link between NRXN2 and the disorder remains unclear. To begin to test the hypothesis that Nrxn2α deficiency contributes to the symptoms of autism, we employed Nrxn2α knockout (KO) mice that genetically model Nrxn2α deficiency in vivo. We report that Nrxn2α KO mice displayed deficits in sociability and social memory when exposed to novel conspecifics. In tests of exploratory activity, Nrxn2α KO mice displayed an anxiety-like phenotype in comparison with wild-type littermates, with thigmotaxis in an open field, less time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus maze, more time spent in the enclosure of an emergence test and less time spent exploring novel objects. However, Nrxn2α KO mice did not exhibit any obvious changes in prepulse inhibition or in passive avoidance learning. Real-time PCR analysis of the frontal cortex and hippocampus revealed significant decreases in the mRNA levels of genes encoding proteins involved in both excitatory and inhibitory transmission. Quantification of protein expression revealed that Munc18-1, encoded by Stxbp1, was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of Nrxn2α KO mice, which is suggestive of deficiencies in presynaptic vesicular release. Our findings demonstrate a causal role for the loss of Nrxn2α in the genesis of autism-related behaviors in mice.     

Outcome of axonal and demyelinating forms of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children

Previous reports have suggested that outcome is worse in the axonal compared with the demyelinating form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We performed a retrospective study of 23 children with electrophysiologically confirmed cases of predominant subtypes of GBS to investigate this issue. The patients were classified based on the electrodiagnostic features: Ten (44%) had acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, eight (35%) had acute motor axonal neuropathy, and five (21%) had acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy. All patients received a standard intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (0.4 g /kg /day for 5 consecutive days). In the acute phase of the disease, patients with the axonal forms of GBS were more disabled than were those with the demyelinating GBS, as measured by GBS scores. Mechanical ventilation was required in five (38%) patients in the axonal group compared with one (10%) patient in the demyelinating group. There was no significant difference at 6 months in GBS scores between demyelinating and axonal forms of GBS. All 20 survivors recovered completely by 12 months. After standard intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, children with axonal forms of GBS recover more slowly than those with the demyelinating form, but outcome at 12 months appears to be equally favorable in two groups.     

Effect on peripheral nerve regeneration by transgene in vivo with human insulin-like growth factor-1

INTRODUCTION In 1950s, the development of microsurgery have greatly improved the quality in repairing peripheral nerve injury. Especially that more than 10 neurotrophic factors (NTFs) have been known in recent 30 years with the continuous exploration of t…     

Effect on peripheral nerve vivo with human insulin-like regeneration by transgene in growth factor-1

BACKGROUND: Human insulin-like growth factor (hIGF-1) has been successful in treating peripheral nerve injury, but it is still unclear whether hIGF-1 after transgene in vivo has the effect on promoting the regeneration of peripheral nerve. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of hIGF-1 on the regeneration of peripheral nerve by transgene in vivo with electrophysiology, histological morphology and ultromicro morphology. DESIGN: A univariate design. SETTINGS: Jilin Institute of Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Jilin University; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University. MATERIALS: Thirty male adult Wistar rats of grade Ⅱ, weighing 200-250 g, were provided by the Animal Experimental Center of Jilin University [certification number: SCXK-(Ji)20030001]. The rats were raised in the environment at the temperature of 25 ℃ and humidity of 70%. All the rats were randomly divided into hIGF-1-treated group, treatment control group and blank control group, 10 rats in each group. Positive liposomes (mass concentration of 2 g/L) and pcDNA3.1 (mass concentration of 1 g/L) were purchased from Beijing Yuanpinghao Company; pcDNAhIGF-1 (mass concentration of 1 g/L) was provided by Dr. Shen from the School of Public Health of Jilin University. The liposomes were mixed with plasmids with the mass ratio of 1.5 to 10.Operative microscope was made by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Microsurgical Instrument Factory; EMB-5304K electromyogram (EMG) evoked potential meter by Nihon Kohden Corporation. HPIAS-1 000 high-acuity color pathological imaging analytical system (Japan) and JEM-1200EX transmission electron microscope (Japan) were also used. METHODS: The experiments were carried out in Jilin Institute of Surgery from April to June in 2004. ① All the rats were anesthetized, and the right sciatic nerve was exposed, and it was clipped with a clip at 5 mm below the piriform muscle for 3 times, 10 s for each time. The pressed width was 3 mm, and formed as membrane under operating microscope (×6). Rats in the hIGF-1-treated group were subepineurially injected with the mixture of pcDNAhIGF-1 and positive liposomes (10 μL) immediately, those in the treatment control group were injected with the mixture of pcDNA3.1, positive liposomes and distilled water (10 μL), and those in the blank control group were not given any injection. ② The sciatic nerve functional indexes (SFI) were measured within 56 days postoperatively according to the methods used by Shen et al. ISFI=0 was taken as normal, and ISFI=-100 as completely damaged. EMG evoked potential meter was used to record the electrophysiological changes of the regenerated nerve fibers. The indexes of histological morphology in 5 randomly selected sights were determined with the color pathological imaging analytical system, and the ultrostructures of the regenerated nerve fibers were also observed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Comparison of the SFI within 56 days postoperatively; ② Comparison of the electrophysiology, histological morphology and ultrastructure of the regenerated nerve fibers 56 days postoperatively. RESULTS: All the 30 Wistar rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① SFI: The SFI values were gradually increased as time prolonged in all the three groups, and the changes were more obvious after 24 days, the SFI values recovered better at each time point in the hIGF-1-treated group than in the other two groups. ② Eelectrophysiological results of right sciatic nerve: The latency of motor evoked potential (MEP) was close between the treatment control group and the blank control group [(2.55±0.36), (2.65±0.55) ms, P > 0.05], but higher in the hIGF-1-treated group [(2.14±0.22) ms] than in the blank control group (P < 0.01). The amplitude and conduction velocity of MEP in the treatment control group [(6.67±0.69) mV, (29.57±4.06) m/s] were close to those in the blank control group [(6.60±0.59) mV, (29.22±3.20) m/s, P > 0.05], but those in the hIGF-1-treated group [(7.81±0.84) mV, (36.91±4.37) m/s] were larger or faster than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01). ③ Results of the pathological image analysis of the regenerated nerve fibers: The axonal diameter, thickness of myelin sheath of the regenerated nerve fiber and the number of myelinated nerve fiber in the treatment control group [(2.28±0.33) μm, (1.08±0.18) μm2, (71.80±8.25) fibers] were close to those in the blank control group [(2.18±0.29) μm, (1.03±0.15) μm2, (68.60±8.55) fibers] (P > 0.05), and those in the hIGF-1-treated group [(3.03±0.35) μm, (1.65±0.24) μm2, (88.20±8.82) fibers] were obviously larger or more than those in the blank control group (P < 0.01). ④ Ultrastructure of the regenerated nerve fibers of sciatic nerve: In the hIGF-1-treated group, the regenerated fibers of sciatic nerve were more and mature, manifested by thicker nerve fibers, thicker and evener myelin sheath, which were better than those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the quantitative parameters of the electrophysiology, gross histological morphology and ultrostructural changes in the process of repairing damaged peripheral nerve indicate that transgene in vivo with hIGF-1 can promote the neural regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.     

Differences in membrane properties of axonal and demyelinating Guillain-Barré syndromes

Guillain-Barré syndrome is classified into acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) by electrodiagnostic and pathological criteria. In AMAN, the immune attack appears directed against the axolemma and nodes of Ranvier. Threshold tracking was used to measure indices of axonal excitability (refractoriness, supernormality, and threshold electrotonus) for median nerve axons at the wrist of patients with AMAN (n = 10) and AIDP (n = 8). Refractoriness (the increase in threshold current during the relative refractory period) was greatly increased in AMAN patients, but the abruptness of the threshold increases at short interstimulus intervals indicated conduction failure distal to the stimulation (ie, an increased refractory period of transmission). During the 4 week period from onset, the high refractoriness returned toward normal, and the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential increased, consistent with improvement in the safety margin for impulse transmission in the distal nerve. In contrast, refractoriness was normal in AIDP, even though there was marked prolongation of distal latencies. Supernormality and threshold electrotonus were normal in both groups of patients, suggesting that, at the wrist, membrane potential was normal and pathology was relatively minor. These results support the view that the predominantly distal targets of immune attack are different for AMAN and AIDP. Possible mechanisms for the reduced safety factor in AMAN are discussed.     

Does transient blocking of axonal conduction occur in uraemic neuropathy?

In uraemic and other patients with neuropathies, motor unit spike intervals were analysed using a special computer program to detect prolonged intervals of twice the normal duration, so-called "double intervals." These may have different causes--trigger failure, double discharge, or a transient fall in the firing rate of coactive motor units. There was not sufficient evidence that transient conduction blockings will occur in the main axon in uraemic neuropathies.     

Autonomic function in demyelinating and axonal subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether or not the pattern and extent of autonomic involvement differ between the two subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), namely acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). METHODS: Head-up tilt test, R-R interval variation, plasma noradrenaline concentration, skin vasomotor reflex (SVR) and sympathetic sweat response (SSwR) were used to estimate autonomic function in seven AIDP and eight AMAN patients. RESULTS: Heart rate and plasma noradrenaline concentration were significantly high in the AIDP group but not in the AMAN group. Skin vasomotor reflexes were generally preserved and SSwRs were impaired in patients with severe neurological deficits for both AIDP and AMAN groups. CONCLUSION: The patterns of autonomic involvement are qualitatively different between AIDP and AMAN. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is characterized by cardio-sympathetic hyperactivity, excessive or reduced sudomotor function and preserved skin vasomotor function, while AMAN is not necessarily generally associated with marked autonomic dysfunction except for the sudomotor hypofunction seen in patients with severe neurological deficits.     

Inhibition of GABA_A-ρ receptors induces retina regeneration in zebrafish

A potential treatment for retinal diseases is to induce an endogenous Müller glia(MG)-derived regenerative response to replace damaged neurons. In contrast to mammalian MG, zebrafish MG are capable of mediating spontaneous regeneration. We seek to define the mechanisms that enable retina regeneration in zebrafish in order to identify therapeutic targets to induce mammalian retina regeneration. We previously used pharmacological and genetic methods to inhibit gamma aminobutyric acid A(GABAA) receptors in undamaged zebrafish retinas and showed that such inhibition could induce initiation of retina regeneration, as measured by the dedifferentiation of MG and the appearance of MG-derived proliferating progenitor cells. Here, we show that inhibition of a pharmacologically distinct subset of GABAA receptors(GABAA-ρ) can also induce retina regeneration. Dual inhibition of both GABA receptor subtypes led to enhanced retina regeneration. Gene expression analyses indicate that inhibition of GABAA-ρ receptors induces a canonical retinal regenerative response. Our results support a model in which decreased levels of GABA, such as would occur after retinal cell death or damage, induce dedifferentiation of MG and the generation of proliferating progenitor cells during zebrafish retina regeneration. Animal experiments were approved by the Vanderbilt's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(Protocol M1800200) on January 29, 2019.