RGMa inhibition promotes axonal growth and recovery after spinal cord injury

The study investigates the role of repulsive guidance molecule (RGMa) as an inhibitor of axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) after spinal cord injury (SCI). RGMa inhibits the growth of nerve fibers in the CNS, potentially hindering recovery after injury. Researchers developed an antibody that blocks the effects of RGMa. When this antibody was administered to rats with spinal cord injuries, it resulted in significant axonal growth and improved functional recovery. These findings suggest that RGMa plays a significant role in limiting axonal regeneration after CNS injury, and the RGMa antibody could be a potential therapeutic agent for conditions characterized by a failure of CNS regeneration.

• 1
  RGMa inhibits mammalian CNS neurite outgrowth by activating the RhoA–Rho kinase pathway, a key signaling pathway involved in growth cone collapse and axon repulsion.
• 2
  RGMa protein expression is observed in oligodendrocytes, myelinated fibers, and neurons of the adult rat spinal cord and is induced around the injury site after spinal cord injury.
• 3
  Intrathecal administration of an anti-RGMa antibody to rats with spinal cord hemisection resulted in significant axonal growth of the corticospinal tract (CST) and improved functional recovery as measured by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale.