Early mobilization in spinal cord injury promotes changes in microglial dynamics and recovery of motor function

IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.04.002 · Published: April 14, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Following injuries to the central nervous system, early mobilization promotes the recovery of physical function. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of early mobilization on motor function recovery and neuroinflammation in rats. Early mobilization of rats with complete spinal cord transection resulted in good recovery of hindlimb motor function after 3 weeks. At 1 week after spinal cord injury, the early-mobilized rats expressed fewer inflammatory M1 microglia/macrophages and more anti-inflammatory M2 microglia. Early mobilization might also activate the expression of MMP2 in M2 microglia and MMP9 in astrocytes. These cellular dynamics might suppress neuroinflammation at the lesion site, thereby inhibiting the progression of tissue destruction and promoting nerve regeneration to recover motor function.

Study Duration

3 weeks

Participants

41 Wistar female rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Early mobilization of rats with complete spinal cord transection resulted in good recovery of hindlimb motor function after 3 weeks.
2
At 1 week after spinal cord injury, the early-mobilized rats expressed fewer inflammatory M1 microglia/macrophages and more anti-inflammatory M2 microglia.
3
Significantly more matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2)-positive cells were observed at the lesion site 1 week after injury in the early-mobilized rats.

Research Summary

Early mobilization of rats with spinal cord injury led to a decrease in the number of M1 microglia/macrophages and an increase in the number of M2 microglia expressing MMP2 at the acute lesion site. These changes might contribute to the recovery of hindlimb motor function. The present results suggest that early mobilization after spinal cord injury reduced the production of M1 microglia/macrophages while increasing the production of M2 microglia at the lesion site.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Early mobilization should be considered as a beneficial rehabilitation strategy for SCI patients to improve motor function recovery.

Neuroinflammation Management

Targeting microglial dynamics and MMP expression through early mobilization could be a potential therapeutic approach to manage neuroinflammation after SCI.

Cellular Dynamics

Early mobilization might affect the dynamics of microglia and MMPs at the lumbar spinal cord level as well as at the lesion site, and thus might be involved in the recovery of hindlimb motor function.

Study Limitations

1
Based on immunohistological evaluation at the lesion site and not a molecular assay.
2
Effect of exercise therapy on the formation of CSPGs and glial scars was not evaluated.
3
Cavity formation due to neuroinflammation was not evaluated in the lesion site.

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