Microtubule Stabilization Promotes Microcirculation Reconstruction After Spinal Cord Injury

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-020-01679-5 · Published: September 8, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries often disrupt the local blood vessels, leading to further damage. This study explores how stabilizing microtubules, structures within cells, can help rebuild these blood vessels. The research found that microtubule stabilization treatment improved microcirculation reconstruction by increasing the number of microvessels, pericytes, and the perfused microvessels after SCI. The study also showed that stabilizing microtubules can protect the cells that form blood vessels, potentially offering a new way to treat spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Female Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 240–250 g (n = 54 per group)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Microtubule stabilization promotes microcirculation reconstruction after SCI by increasing the number of microvessels, pericytes, and perfused microvessels.
2
Microtubule stabilization inhibits apoptosis and migration of endothelial cells and pericytes but promotes their proliferation and survival.
3
Microtubule stabilization upregulates the expression of VEGFA, VEGFR2, PDGFB, PDGFRβ, and Ang-1, which are essential for angiogenesis.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effect of microtubule stabilization on microcirculation reconstruction after spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that microtubule stabilization promotes angiogenesis, improves prognosis after SCI, and may present as a novel strategy for the treatment of SCI in the clinic. The underlying mechanisms involve the upregulation of VEGFA, VEGFR2, PDGFB, PDGFRβ, and Ang-1, leading to increased cell survival, proliferation, and decreased apoptosis of endothelial cells and pericytes.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

Microtubule stabilization could be a therapeutic target for reducing microcirculation dysfunction after SCI.

Tissue Engineering

Indicates a novel theoretical basis for tissue engineering, such as adding to microtubule stabilizers or removing of microtubule destabilizers.

Functional Recovery

Microtubule stabilization treatment could promote microcirculation reconstruction, which is favorable for axon regeneration to improve functional recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The specific mechanisms of Tie-2 regulation need further investigation.
2
Lumenogenesis was not affected by microtubule stabilization in this study
3
The study focuses on Epo B, which only modifies the structure of microtubule, but does not alter the acetylation of microtubules.

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