Microglia and macrophages promote corralling, wound compaction and recovery after spinal cord injury via Plexin-B2

Nat Neurosci., 2020 · DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0597-7 · Published: March 1, 2020

Simple Explanation

After spinal cord injury (SCI), tissue repair requires immune and glial cells to create a barrier, which seals the wound and clears debris. Plexin-B2, which is upregulated in injury-activated microglia/macrophages (IAM), is required for motosensory recovery after SCI. Plexin-B2 deletion in myeloid cells impairs corralling, leading to diffuse tissue damage, inflammatory spillover, and hampered axon regeneration.

Study Duration

5 weeks

Participants

Mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Plexin-B2 is upregulated in injury-activated microglia and macrophages (IAM) after SCI.
2
Plexin-B2 regulates corralling and wound compaction by enhancing microglial dispersion, steering them away from colliding cells, and strengthening matrix compaction.
3
Plexin-B2 induction in IAM facilitates corralling, matrix reorganization, and wound compaction.

Research Summary

This process involves corralling, wherein phagocytic immune cells become confined to the necrotic core surrounded by an astrocytic border. Plexin-B2 regulates corralling and wound compaction by enhancing microglial dispersion, steering them away from colliding cells, and strengthening matrix compaction. In summary, our study demonstrates an important role of IAM and Plexin-B2 signaling in promoting corralling and wound compaction.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic designs for axon regeneration

Insights into building a protective physical barrier may aid therapeutic designs for axon regeneration after CNS injury.

Therapeutic designs for neural repair

Insights into building a protective physical barrier may aid therapeutic designs for neural repair after CNS injury.

Treatment of spinal cord injuries

IAM and Plexin-B2 signaling promote corralling and wound compaction.

Study Limitations

1
[object Object]
2
[object Object]
3
[object Object]

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury