NG2 Glia Reprogramming Induces Robust Axonal Regeneration After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries often lead to loss of neurons and damage to axons, resulting in impaired function. This study shows that reprogramming a type of glial cell, called NG2 glia, can help regenerate damaged axons. The researchers found that reprogramming NG2 glia led to the regeneration of axons in the corticospinal tract and serotonergic neurons, which are important for movement and other functions. This regeneration of axons may help rebuild the neural networks that are essential for recovery after a spinal cord injury.

• 1
  NG2 glia reprogramming induces robust regeneration of CST axons after SCI, with axons extending as far as 2.6 mm caudal to the lesion center.
• 2
  The SOX2/p75-2 reprogramming group exhibited very robust regeneration of the mCherry+ main CST axons
• 3
  NG2 glia reprogramming promotes regeneration of 5-HT axons after SCI, indicated by a significant increase of the axon intensity index within 2.0 mm caudal to lesion border.