The role of Wnt/mTOR signaling in spinal cord injury

Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101760 · Published: January 4, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Genetics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common and severe condition that can lead to neurological dysfunction. The Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in various processes after SCI, including neural stem cell proliferation, axon regeneration, and inflammation. The Wnt/mTOR pathway has been identified as a key regulator of neuronal growth, differentiation and survival. This pathway is activated after SCI and may be beneficial for functional recovery and axonal regeneration of the injured spinal cord. This paper reviews the characteristics of Wnt/mTOR signal, the role of Wnt/mTOR pathway on SCI and related mechanisms, and some unsolved problems are discussed. It is hoped to provide reference value for the research ﬁeld of the role of Wnt/mTOR pathway in SCI, and provide a theoretical basis for biological therapy of SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review article

Key Findings

1
Wnt signaling plays an important role in SCI, regulating neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, axon regeneration, neuroinflammation, and pain.
2
mTOR signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation, nerve regeneration, and glial scar formation after SCI.
3
Herbal medicines like resveratrol and curcumin may have therapeutic effects on SCI by modulating the Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Research Summary

The Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway is a ubiquitous signaling cascade involved in various physiological and pathological processes, including those related to spinal cord injury (SCI). It plays a crucial role in neural development, synaptogenesis, neuronal growth, differentiation, and survival. Wnt signaling is involved in the regulation of neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, axon regeneration, neuroinflammation, and pain through various mechanisms after spinal cord loss. The mTOR pathway plays an important role in inflammation, nerve regeneration, and glial scar formation after SCI. Herbal medicines like resveratrol and curcumin can modulate the Wnt/mTOR pathway and may have therapeutic potential for SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target for SCI

The Wnt/mTOR signaling pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for intervening in the treatment and neurological recovery after SCI from the pathophysiological level.

Clinical Translation

Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to validate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of targeting Wnt/mTOR signaling in the treatment of SCI.

Adjunctive Herbal Therapy

Resveratrol and curcumin, through modulation of the Wnt/mTOR pathway, have potential as adjunctive therapies for SCI, improving the microenvironment and promoting regeneration at the injured site.

Study Limitations

1
Most studies on Wnt/mTOR effects on SCI are at the cellular stage, necessitating preclinical animal studies for clinical translation.
2
The exact role of Wnt/mTOR signaling in SCI is controversial, with some studies showing positive effects and others showing negative effects.
3
Clinical studies on the activation or inhibition of the Wnt/mTOR pathway in SCI are limited.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury