Expressing Constitutively Active Rheb in Adult Neurons after a Complete Spinal Cord Injury Enhances Axonal Regeneration beyond a Chondroitinase-Treated Glial Scar

After a spinal cord injury (SCI), CNS axons fail to regenerate, resulting in permanent deficits. This is due to the diminished growth capacity of adult neurons and the presence of inhibitory molecules in the scar at the lesion. The researchers aimed to overcome these obstacles by enhancing the intrinsic growth potential of neurons and modifying the inhibitory glial scar. They used a constitutively active form of Rheb (caRheb) to stimulate neuronal growth and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to digest inhibitory molecules in the scar. The study found that combining caRheb expression with ChABC treatment significantly improved axon regeneration beyond the injury site, suggesting that addressing both intrinsic and extrinsic factors is crucial for successful SCI repair.

• 1
  CaRheb expression promotes growth of axons into a peripheral nerve graft (PNG).
• 2
  Combining caRheb expression in neurons and ChABC treatment of the glial scar enhances axon growth beyond a PNG.
• 3
  Regenerating axons form putative synapses, suggesting the potential for functional recovery.