Combining an Autologous Peripheral Nervous System “Bridge” and Matrix Modification by Chondroitinase Allows Robust, Functional Regeneration beyond a Hemisection Lesion of the Adult Rat Spinal Cord

The Journal of Neuroscience, 2006 · DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1166-06.2006 · Published: July 12, 2006

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Genetics

Simple Explanation

This study investigated whether modifying the environment around a spinal cord injury site could encourage nerve fibers to regrow. Researchers used an enzyme called chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to break down substances that inhibit nerve growth. They also used a peripheral nerve graft to create a bridge to guide the regrowing nerve fibers across the injury.

Study Duration

7 weeks

Participants

Adult (225–250 g) female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
ChABC treatment enhanced axonal regrowth from the PN graft into the spinal cord.
2
Rats treated with ChABC showed improvements in forelimb movement, balance, and weight bearing.
3
Severing the nerve graft diminished these functional improvements, indicating that the regrown axons were responsible for the recovery.

Research Summary

The study demonstrates that modulation of extracellular matrix components promotes significant axonal regeneration beyond a PN bridge back into the spinal cord. Regenerating axons can mediate the return of useful function of the affected limb. The combination of a PN graft and ChABC treatment facilitates robust axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The findings suggest that combining peripheral nerve grafts with chondroitinase treatment could be a potential therapeutic strategy for promoting axonal regeneration and functional recovery in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Extracellular Matrix Modulation

The study highlights the importance of modulating the extracellular matrix environment to overcome inhibitory factors and facilitate axonal growth after spinal cord injury.

Synergistic Effects

The results suggest a synergistic effect between the peripheral nerve graft and ChABC treatment, indicating that a combination of approaches may be more effective than individual therapies.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted in rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
Some lingering behavioral improvement after bridge resection in some animals suggests that other plastic phenomena occurring locally may also play a role.
3
Axonal outgrowth was limited even after enzyme-induced CSPG remodeling.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury