Modulation of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Signaling Together with Neuronal Activation Enhances Forelimb Motor Recovery after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

This study explores a new approach to improve motor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) by combining two strategies: modifying certain factors in nerve cells and stimulating those nerve cells. The researchers modified corticospinal neurons (CSNs) by deleting RhoA and Pten, which are known to prevent nerve regeneration. They also used chemogenetic stimulation to activate these modified neurons. The results showed that this combined approach led to better nerve growth and improved motor function in mice with SCI compared to using either strategy alone, suggesting potential for more effective SCI treatments.

• 1
  The combination of RhoA/Pten deletion in corticospinal neurons (CSNs) with chemogenetic neuronal stimulation promotes greater axonal growth and presynaptic bouton formation in CSNs within the spinal cord compared with RhoA;Pten deletion alone.
• 2
  Chemogenetic neuronal stimulation of RhoA;Pten-deleted CSNs improves forelimb performance in behavioral tasks after SCI compared with RhoA;Pten deletion alone.
• 3
  The synergistic effects of genetic deletion of RhoA;Pten and CSN stimulation limited axon dieback and promoted presynaptic growth in CSN axons at and below the site of injury.