Selective Expression of CSPG Receptors PTPσ and LAR in Poorly Regenerating Reticulospinal Neurons of Lamprey

J Comp Neurol, 2014 · DOI: 10.1002/cne.23529 · Published: June 15, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Following spinal cord injury, axons often fail to regenerate, leading to permanent disability. This study investigates the role of CSPG receptors, PTPσ and LAR, in axon regeneration using lampreys, which have heterogeneous regenerative abilities. The study found that CSPG immunoreactivity increases near the spinal cord lesion after injury and that PTPσ and LAR are selectively expressed in neurons with poor regenerative abilities. The study also suggests that PTPσ may play a role in both retrograde neuronal death and the limited regenerative capacity of poorly regenerating neurons.

Study Duration

10 Weeks

Participants

86 larval and adult lampreys

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
CSPG immunoreactivity increases significantly near the lesion site at 2 weeks post-transection, then decreases.
2
PTPσ and LAR are selectively expressed in bad-regenerating neurons and have overlapping distributions; PTPσ is upregulated with age.
3
The probability of axon regeneration for individual neurons is negatively correlated with PTPσ expression levels.

Research Summary

This study investigates the expression of CSPG receptors PTPσ and LAR in lampreys after spinal cord injury, focusing on their role in axon regeneration and neuronal death. The researchers found that CSPG levels increase near the injury site and that PTPσ and LAR are selectively expressed in poorly regenerating neurons. PTPσ expression also correlates with caspase activation, suggesting a role in apoptosis. The study concludes that PTPσ and LAR may contribute to both the poor regenerative ability of certain neurons and their subsequent death after axotomy.

Practical Implications

Targeted Therapies

Modulating PTPσ and LAR expression could potentially enhance axon regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Understanding Regeneration

Further research into the mechanisms by which PTPσ and LAR influence neuronal survival and regeneration could provide insights into overcoming regenerative failure in the CNS.

Age-Related Decline

The age-related increase in PTPσ expression suggests potential targets for interventions to counteract the decline in regenerative capacity with age.

Study Limitations

1
The study is conducted on lampreys, and results may not be directly translatable to mammals.
2
The exact mechanisms by which PTPσ and LAR influence neuronal death and regeneration remain unclear.
3
Further research is needed to explore the effects of blocking RPTP expression on axonal regeneration.

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