Fascin-1 limits myosin activity in microglia to control mechanical characterization of the injured spinal cord

Spinal cord injuries often lead to the formation of glial scars, which can hinder nerve regeneration. This study investigates the role of microglia, a type of immune cell in the spinal cord, and how they influence the mechanical properties of the injured tissue. The researchers found that a protein called Fascin-1, present in microglia, plays a crucial role in regulating the stiffness of the spinal cord tissue after injury. Fascin-1 influences the activity of another protein called myosin, which affects cell movement and tissue mechanics. By manipulating Fascin-1 and myosin activity in mice with spinal cord injuries, the study demonstrates how these proteins can be targeted to potentially improve nerve regeneration and functional recovery. This opens new avenues for treating CNS diseases.

• 1
  Spinal cord tissue softens after crush injury, and microglia migration may be involved in the glial scar-mediated spinal cord softening after SCI.
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  Fascin-1 inhibits myosin activation to promote microglial migration and control mechanical characterization after SCI.
• 3
  Microglia depletion or Fascin-1 deletion in microglia limits tissue softening and alters mechanical characterization, results in increased size of the CD68+ inflammatory cells, less neuron survival, and poor functional recovery.