Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.020 · Published: October 18, 2022
Sea lampreys can spontaneously regenerate axons after a spinal cord injury, unlike mammals. This study looks at the regeneration of axons that release corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a neuropeptide, after complete spinal cord injury in lampreys. The study found that the CRH descending axons of lampreys fully regenerate after a complete SCI. This provides a new model to study axonal regeneration in a specific neuronal type with small caliber axons. Researchers analyzed the regenerative capacity of descending CRH axons using immunofluorescence methods, confocal microscopy, and ImageJ after inducing a complete spinal cord injury in larval sea lampreys.
Provides a new animal model (lampreys) to study the mechanisms of successful axon regeneration after spinal cord injury.
Offers insights into the regeneration of the CRHergic system, which is relevant for understanding recovery of functions like micturition after SCI.
Identifies potential molecular pathways that promote regrowth and functional regeneration of descending CRH axons, which could be targeted for therapeutic interventions.