Radial Glia and Neuronal-like Ependymal Cells Are Present within the Spinal Cord of the Trunk (Body) in the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

J. Dev. Biol, 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/jdb10020021 · Published: June 1, 2022

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Genetics

Simple Explanation

Leopard geckos can detach their tails to escape predators and then regenerate them, including the spinal cord. This study investigates whether the spinal cord of the gecko's body (trunk) has similar neural stem cells as the tail. The researchers found that the trunk spinal cord contains cells in the ependymal layer that retain a label (BrdU) after a long period, indicating they are slow-cycling stem cells. These cells express SOX2, a marker for neural stem cells. The trunk spinal cord also contains two types of cells: radial glial-like cells (GFAP and Vimentin expressing) and neuronal-like cells (HuCD expressing). Tail loss doesn't significantly change the proliferation rate of ependymal cells in the trunk spinal cord.

Study Duration

20 weeks

Participants

21 juvenile, captive-bred leopard geckos

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Ependymal cells of the trunk spinal cord express SOX2, indicating their potential as neural stem/progenitor cells.
2
The trunk spinal cord contains two distinct cell populations within the ependymal layer: radial glial-like cells (GFAP and Vimentin expressing) and neuronal-like cells (HuCD expressing).
3
Tail loss does not significantly alter the proliferation rate of ependymal cells within the trunk spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study characterized ependymal cells from the trunk spinal cord of the leopard gecko, revealing a heterogenous population including radial glia and neuronal-like cells. The researchers determined that most ependymal cells express SOX2 and many express GFAP and Vimentin, while a second population expresses HuCD. The study found that a majority of mitotically active cells are slow-cycling and that tail loss did not alter ependymal cell proliferation, suggesting the trunk spinal cord has a similar regenerative capacity to the tail.

Practical Implications

Understanding Spinal Cord Regeneration

Provides insight into the cellular composition and regenerative potential of the gecko spinal cord, which could inform regenerative strategies for spinal cord injuries in other species.

Gecko Tail as a Model for Spinal Cord Injury

Supports the use of the gecko tail spinal cord as a model for studying spinal cord injuries, offering a less invasive proxy for investigating body spinal cord injuries.

Heterogeneity of Ependymal Cells

Highlights the complexity of ependymal cell populations, suggesting different roles for radial glia and CSF-c cells in spinal cord function and regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
The in situ regenerative capacity of trunk ependymal cells remains poorly understood.
2
The specific identity of BrdU+ cells was not determined.
3
The study did not investigate the functional recovery or glial scarring following a direct trunk spinal cord injury.

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