Activating transcription factor 3, a useful marker for regenerative response after nerve root injury

Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is induced in various tissues in response to stress. This study explores ATF3 expression in rats and humans after nerve injuries to see if it correlates with nerve regeneration. The experiment involved dorsal or ventral root avulsion (VRA), or sciatic nerve transection (SNT) in rats, and examination of human dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) from traumatic dorsal root avulsions. The findings suggest ATF3 is a reliable marker for nerve lesions and is linked to regenerative competence in both motor and sensory neurons.

• 1
  ATF3 expression is up-regulated in a distance-dependent manner after nerve lesions. The closer the lesion is to the cell body, the earlier ATF3 is detected.
• 2
  ATF3 expression in DRG neurons is much stronger after peripheral axotomy than after dorsal root transection, which correlates with better regenerative capacity after peripheral axotomy.
• 3
  Replantation of an avulsed ventral root promotes survival of lesioned MN, which continue to express ATF3, indicating ongoing regeneration.