CNS Axons Globally Increase Axonal Transport after Peripheral Conditioning

This study investigates how damage to a nerve in the body (peripheral nerve) affects the ability of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (CNS axons) to repair themselves. Researchers found that injury to a peripheral nerve increases the transport of essential materials within CNS axons, which may help them regenerate. The study showed that after a peripheral nerve injury, there's an increase in the movement of various components like cytoskeleton proteins, metabolic enzymes, and mitochondria, not just in the injured peripheral nerve, but also in the connected nerve fibers within the spinal cord. Unlike spinal cord injuries, peripheral nerve injuries trigger this widespread increase in axonal transport. This suggests that damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord can prepare the CNS axons for potential regeneration by boosting their internal transport systems.

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  A peripheral conditioning lesion increases the anterograde transport of cytoskeleton components, metabolic enzymes and axonal regeneration enhancers in the central branch of DRGs.
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  Axonal transport of mitochondria, lysosomes and synaptophysin-andAPP-carrying vesicles was also increased in the central branch following a peripheral injury.
• 3
  Elevated levels of motors and of polyglutamylated and tyrosinated tubulin were present following a peripheral lesion and can explain the increase in axonal transport induced by conditioning.