Axon Regeneration Can Facilitate or Suppress Hindlimb Function after Olfactory Ensheathing Glia Transplantation

The Journal of Neuroscience, 2011 · DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4967-10.2011 · Published: March 16, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) transplantation on spinal cord regeneration and motor function recovery in rats after complete spinal cord transection. The research explores whether OEG transplantation can promote axon regeneration across the injury site and reorganization of spinal locomotor networks, and how these changes affect sensorimotor function. The findings reveal that OEG transplantation can indeed promote axon regeneration and spinal circuitry reorganization, but these changes can have both facilitating and suppressing effects on sensorimotor function.

Study Duration

8 Months

Participants

41 female Wistar Hannover rats

Evidence Level

Level II; Experimental study

Key Findings

1
OEG transplantation promotes axon regeneration across a complete spinal cord transection in adult rats, as evidenced by electrophysiological and anatomical assessments.
2
Axon regeneration facilitated by OEG transplantation can either enhance or suppress locomotor performance and the hypersensitive hindlimb withdrawal response to mechanical stimulation.
3
OEG transplantation, combined with long-term step training, promotes reorganization of lumbosacral locomotor networks and enhances some stepping measures.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) transplantation promotes axon regeneration across a complete spinal cord transection in adult rats. The research highlights that this regeneration can alter motor responses over time, with a complete spinal cord retransection demonstrating that axon regeneration suppressed locomotor performance and decreased hypersensitivity. The study also indicates that OEG transplantation alone promotes reorganization of lumbosacral locomotor networks, and when combined with long-term training, enhances some stepping measures, contributing to sensorimotor function.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

OEG transplantation may be a viable therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury, but careful consideration must be given to the potential for both positive and negative effects on motor function.

Rehabilitation Strategies

Combining OEG transplantation with long-term step training can enhance the positive effects of OEG on locomotor networks, suggesting that rehabilitation strategies should be tailored to maximize functional recovery.

Further Research

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which OEG promote axon regeneration and spinal circuitry reorganization, and to identify strategies to optimize the balance of facilitation and suppression of sensorimotor function.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The mechanisms by which OEG promote axon regeneration and spinal circuitry reorganization are not fully understood.
3
The study did not examine the long-term effects of OEG transplantation on motor function and quality of life.

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