Genome-wide expression profile of the response to spinal cord injury in Xenopus laevis reveals extensive differences between regenerative and non-regenerative stages

Neural Development, 2014 · DOI: 10.1186/1749-8104-9-12 · Published: May 22, 2014

Regenerative Medicine Bioinformatics Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study compares the response to spinal cord injury in Xenopus laevis at regenerative (tadpole) and non-regenerative (froglet) stages to understand why spinal cord regeneration fails in humans. The researchers analyzed gene expression changes after spinal cord injury in both stages and found that the regenerative tadpoles had extensive gene expression changes early on, while the non-regenerative froglets showed these changes later. The study identified specific genes and biological processes that are regulated differently between the regenerative and non-regenerative stages, providing insights into the mechanisms that promote or inhibit spinal cord regeneration.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Xenopus laevis tadpoles (stage 50) and froglets (stage 66)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Regenerative tadpoles showed extensive transcriptome changes at 1 day after injury, while non-regenerative froglets showed changes at 6 days after injury, indicating different kinetics in the responses.
2
A very different repertoire of transcripts was deployed in response to injury in regenerative and non-regenerative stages, with more than 80% of transcripts regulated in only one stage.
3
Genes related to neurogenesis and the axonal growth cone were differentially regulated after spinal cord injury in regenerative and non-regenerative stages, with specific proneural factors exclusively regulated in the regenerative stage.

Research Summary

This study investigates the transcriptome-wide response to spinal cord injury in regenerative (R-) and non-regenerative (NR-) stages of Xenopus laevis to identify mechanisms underlying successful regeneration. The research reveals significant differences in the timing and composition of the transcriptional response between R- and NR-stages, with R-stage tadpoles showing earlier and more pronounced transcriptional changes compared to NR-stage froglets. Differentially regulated genes and biological processes, including neurogenesis, axonal regeneration, metabolism, immune response, and cell cycle, are identified as potential targets for enhancing spinal cord regeneration in mammals.

Practical Implications

Drug Development

Identification of specific genes and pathways can lead to development of targeted therapies.

Understanding Regeneration

Provides insights into fundamental mechanisms of spinal cord regeneration.

Therapeutic Strategies

Modulation of identified biological processes may improve spinal cord regeneration in mammals.

Study Limitations

1
The study uses Xenopus laevis as a model organism, and findings may not directly translate to mammals.
2
The genome was not used, owing to its current draft status.
3
The study focuses on early response time points (1, 2, and 6 days post-injury), and long-term effects are not examined.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Regenerative Medicine