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  4. The Mechanisms of Peripheral Nerve Preconditioning Injury on Promoting Axonal Regeneration

The Mechanisms of Peripheral Nerve Preconditioning Injury on Promoting Axonal Regeneration

Neural Plasticity, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6648004 · Published: January 6, 2021

Regenerative MedicineNeurology

Simple Explanation

When axons in the central nervous system (CNS) are damaged, they don't regrow well. However, if a peripheral nerve is injured first, it can help the CNS axons regenerate after a subsequent spinal cord injury. This review explains how this "preconditioning injury" boosts axon regeneration. The initial nerve injury sends signals that increase the expression of regeneration-associated genes (RAG), which promote axon growth. Also, the injury causes interactions between nerve cells and other cells, amplifying the regenerative effects. Moreover, the preconditioning injury affects mitochondria, and protein and lipid synthesis, enhancing cellular metabolism adaptation during axon regeneration. Together, these changes enable better axon regeneration in the central nervous system.

Study Duration
Not specified
Participants
Not specified
Evidence Level
Review Article

Key Findings

  • 1
    Injury signal transduction resulting from preconditioning peripheral nerve injury regulates the RAG expression to enhance axonal regeneration.
  • 2
    Preconditioning peripheral nerve injury triggers interactions between neurons and nonneuronal cells to amplify and maintain their effects.
  • 3
    The preconditioning injury impacts mitochondria, protein, and lipid synthesis, enhancing cellular metabolism adaptation during axon regeneration.

Research Summary

This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of the preconditioning injury effect on promoting axonal regeneration, focusing on injury signal transduction and RAG expression. The review highlights the importance of neuron and non-neuronal cell interactions in amplifying and maintaining the regenerative effects of preconditioning injury. The review discusses the impact of preconditioning injury on mitochondria, protein, and lipid synthesis, all of which contribute to enhanced axonal regeneration.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic potential

Understanding the mechanisms of preconditioning injury could lead to new therapies for CNS injuries.

Drug development

Novel pharmacological therapies mimicking the preconditioning injury effect may be developed.

Clinical applications

Mimicking the preconditioning injury effect has the potential to be applied clinically.

Study Limitations

  • 1
    Coordination and integration of multi-functional pathways for successful axon regeneration remain challenging.
  • 2
    Reconstructing a fully functional neural circuit poses significant difficulties.
  • 3
    Identifying key determinants to trigger central axon regeneration and functional recovery is an ongoing process.

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