The Modulation of Neurotrophin and Epigenetic Regulators: Implication for Astrocytes Proliferation and Neuronal Cell Apoptosis After Spinal Cord Injury

Ann Rehabil Med, 2016 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5535/arm.2016.40.4.559 · Published: August 1, 2016

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the changes in the brain following spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice, focusing on substances that affect nerve cell survival and death. The research examines how SCI impacts the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and certain epigenetic regulators in the brain. The study also looks at how SCI affects the number of astrocytes in the hippocampus and neurons in the motor cortex of the brain.

Study Duration

2 weeks

Participants

36 male imprinting control region mice

Evidence Level

Level III, Animal study

Key Findings

1
BDNF expression was significantly elevated at 2 weeks after injury.
2
The GDNF level was significantly elevated at 3 days.
3
The expression of HDAC1 was significantly elevated at 1 week.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that following spinal cord injury (SCI), astrocyte proliferation occurs in the hippocampus, and motor neuron cell death occurs in the motor cortex. The study also found significant upregulation of BDNF, GDNF, and HDAC1 expression following SCI. The results suggest that the upregulation of BDNF, GDNF and HDAC1 might play on important role in brain reorganization after SCI.

Practical Implications

Understanding Brain Reorganization

The study sheds light on the complex processes of brain reorganization following SCI, particularly the roles of astrocytes and neurons.

Potential Therapeutic Targets

The identification of BDNF, GDNF, and HDAC1 as key players opens avenues for targeted therapies aimed at promoting neuronal survival and functional recovery.

Clinical Recovery

The additional information may help to determine whether the neurodegeneration after SCI can be stopped, and will hopefully contribute to clinical recovery, such as pain control and spasticity management.

Study Limitations

1
The changes in astrocytes were not evaluated in various parts of the brain
2
It was a preliminary study of 2-week duration, which enabled evaluation of the findings only at the acute and subacute phases.
3
Modifications, such as extending the temporal window or histological analysis of proteins, may be needed to clarify the major protein in the brain after SCI.

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