Motor neuron-specific RhoA knockout delays degeneration and promotes regeneration of dendrites in spinal ventral horn after brachial plexus injury

This study investigates the role of RhoA, a protein involved in cell structure and nerve function, in the degeneration and regeneration of dendrites (branch-like extensions of nerve cells) after nerve injury. The researchers used genetically modified mice where RhoA was specifically removed from motor neurons. They then injured the brachial plexus (a network of nerves in the shoulder) to observe how dendrites responded. The results showed that removing RhoA from motor neurons helped to protect dendrites from degeneration after injury and also promoted their regeneration, suggesting RhoA plays a role in these processes.

• 1
  RhoA knockout in motor neurons attenuates dendrite degeneration after brachial plexus transection, as evidenced by higher dendrite density and reduced fragmentation in knockout mice compared to controls.
• 2
  RhoA knockout alleviates the degeneration of dendrite arborization following brachial plexus transection, with knockout mice exhibiting longer dendrites and more intersections compared to controls.
• 3
  RhoA knockout enhances the restoration of dendrite density and integrity after brachial plexus crush injury, with increased dendrite density and integrity observed in knockout mice compared to controls.