Jisuikang formula promotes spinal cord injury repair in rats by activating the YAP/PKM2 signaling axis in astrocytes

J South Med Univ, 2024 · DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2024.04.03 · Published: April 1, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Genetics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages the central nervous system, leading to motor and sensory dysfunction. Damaged neurons lack regenerative capacity, and glial scars impede axon regeneration. This study investigates how the Chinese medicine Jisuikang (JSK), combined with SOX2, reprograms astrocytes into neurons, potentially aiding SCI repair, focusing on the role of glycolysis. The study found that JSK combined with SOX2 may enhance glycolysis by promoting PKM2 and YAP co-localization, inducing astrocyte reprogramming into neurons and promoting nerve injury repair.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

30 adult SD rats

Evidence Level

Level 2: Animal Study, Cellular Study

Key Findings

1
Jisuikang treatment significantly improved BBB scores and performance in the inclined-plate test in SCI rats.
2
Bioinformatic analysis identified the HIPPO-YAP signaling pathway as the target pathway of Jisuikang.
3
SOX2 combined with the mediated serum significantly increased PKM2, p-PKM2 and YAP expressions and entry of phosphorylated PKM2 into the nucleus, and promoted PKM2 and YAP co-localization in the cells.

Research Summary

This study investigates the mechanism of Jisuikang formula-medicated serum combined with SOX2 in inducing astrocyte reprogramming into neurons. The results showed that Jisuikang treatment improved motor function in SCI rats. In cultured astrocytes, JSK increased PKM2, p-PKM2, and YAP expression and promoted PKM2 and YAP co-localization. The conclusion is that JSK accelerates SCI repair in rats possibly by promoting aerobic glycolysis of astrocytes via activating the PKM2/YAP axis to induce reprogramming of the astrocytes into neurons.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Jisuikang may serve as a therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury by promoting nerve regeneration.

Cellular Reprogramming

The study highlights the potential of astrocyte reprogramming as a strategy for SCI repair.

Targeted Therapy

The YAP/PKM2 signaling axis may be a target for therapeutic interventions in spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
The precise mechanisms by which Jisuikang promotes YAP and PKM2 co-localization and its downstream effects on transcription require further investigation.
2
Further research is needed to determine how Jisuikang regulates intracellular transcription to reduce inflammation and promote nerve function recovery in vivo.
3
This study primarily focused on in vitro experiments; further in vivo studies are needed to validate these findings.

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