Astroglial-Derived Periostin Promotes Axonal Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury

The Journal of Neuroscience, 2014 · DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2947-13.2014 · Published: February 12, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) lead to tissue damage, cell death, axon degeneration, and scar formation, hindering axon regeneration. This study investigates how to overcome these obstacles to promote axon regeneration after SCI. The researchers identified periostin (POSTN), a secreted protein, as a key factor in promoting axon regeneration. POSTN is produced by glial-restricted precursors (GDAsBMP) and can overcome the inhibitory effects of scar tissue, encouraging neurite extension. Transplanting POSTN-deficient GDAsBMP into injured rat spinal cords resulted in reduced axonal regeneration, indicating that POSTN plays a crucial role in GDAsBMP-mediated axonal regeneration. This suggests POSTN's potential as a therapeutic agent for CNS injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Periostin (POSTN) is identified as a key component of GDABMP-induced axonal regeneration.
2
Recombinant POSTN can overcome the inhibitory effect of scar-associated molecules and promote neurite extension in vitro by signaling through focal adhesion kinase and Akt.
3
Transplantation of POSTN-deficient GDAsBMP into the injured rat spinal cord resulted in compromised axonal regeneration.

Research Summary

This study identifies periostin (POSTN) as a key factor secreted by GDAsBMP astrocytes that promotes axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). POSTN expression in GDAsBMP is essential for their ability to induce neurite extension in vitro and axonal regeneration in vivo. Recombinant POSTN can also overcome the inhibitory effects of scar-associated molecules. The study demonstrates that POSTN mediates its effects through the FAK and Akt signaling pathways and suggests POSTN's potential as a therapeutic target for traumatic CNS injuries.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

POSTN shows promise as a therapeutic agent for traumatic injuries of the central nervous system, particularly spinal cord injuries, by promoting axonal regeneration.

Mechanism of Action

The identification of POSTN provides insight into the mechanisms underlying GDAsBMP-dependent recovery from SCI, revealing a potential target for future therapies.

Overcoming Inhibitory Cues

POSTN's ability to overcome inhibitory cues from scar-associated molecules suggests its utility in creating a more permissive environment for axonal growth after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study uses a rodent model of spinal cord injury, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The study focuses on the acute phase of SCI (7 days post-injury), and the long-term effects of POSTN on axonal regeneration and functional recovery are not explored.
3
The precise mechanisms by which POSTN interacts with other extracellular matrix proteins and modulates the immune response after SCI remain to be fully elucidated.

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