IKVAV-linked cell membrane-spanning peptide treatment induces neuronal reactivation following spinal cord injury

A new potential treatment for spinal cord injury was tested in mice. Mice were treated with our membrane-spanning peptide with the IKVAV motif (IKVAV-MSP) or various control treatments. Functional improvement was assessed daily and spinal cord segments were evaluated after 4 weeks. IKVAV-MSP treatment significantly restored function compared with control groups, numbers of health nerve cells within the spinal cord were increased and muscles appeared healthier. This study demonstrates that it is possible to promote functional recovery after SCI using bioactive IKVAV presenting cell membrane-spanning peptides.

• 1
  IKVAV-MSP group scores increased significantly compared with control groups after 4 weeks of observation (p < 0.05).
• 2
  The number of protoplasmic astrocytes, neurons and muscle bundle size in the IKVAV-MSP mice were significantly increased (p < 0.001; p < 0.05 and p < 0.007; respectively).
• 3
  IKVAV-MSP treatment prevented muscle atrophy as evinced by increased muscle mass, larger muscle bundle size, and decreased IMF.