C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 antibody enhances neural plasticity after ischemic stroke

This study investigates the role of CXCR7, a receptor, in neural regeneration after stroke in rats. By injecting a CXCR7-neutralizing antibody, the researchers aimed to block the interaction between SDF-1 and CXCR7 to observe the effects on axonal regeneration, synaptogenesis, remyelination, and motor function recovery. The results showed that blocking CXCR7 with the antibody led to increased growth of nerve fibers, enhanced synapse formation in the spinal cord, and improved myelin regeneration in the brain. These changes suggest that CXCR7 influences neural plasticity after stroke. Furthermore, the study found that the beneficial effects of the CXCR7 antibody might be related to the activation of the CXCR4 receptor and the RAS/ERK signaling pathway, indicating a potential therapeutic target for stroke recovery.

• 1
  CXCR7-neutralizing antibody increased the total length and number of sprouting corticospinal tract fibers in rats with cerebral ischemia, indicating enhanced axonal regeneration.
• 2
  CXCR7 antibody treatment significantly increased vGlut1 and GAP43 expression levels in the ischemic rats, suggesting enhanced synaptogenesis after cerebral ischemia.
• 3
  Anti-CXCR7 antibody treatment not only significantly upregulated the proportion of Olig2+BrdU+ cells but also greatly increased the MBP expression level in both ischemic rats and sham-operated rats, indicating augmented differentiation and maturation of OPCs.