Transcription factor Sox11b is involved in spinal cord regeneration in adult zebrafish

Neuroscience, 2011 · DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.10.026 · Published: January 13, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Adult zebrafish can recover from spinal cord injuries, including regrowth of axons from the brainstem to the spinal cord. The study found that Sox11b mRNA is upregulated after injury, specifically in ependymal cells and newly differentiating neurons. Using gene knockout, the study demonstrates Sox11b is essential for locomotor recovery. Sox11b also regulates Nestin and Ascl1a, which are involved in stem cell renewal and cell fate specification. The data suggests Sox11b promotes neuronal determination of endogenous stem cells after spinal cord injury. The research indicates that enhancing Sox11b expression may promote restorative therapy in mammals.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), 6 months old

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Sox11b mRNA is up-regulated in ependymal cells lining the central canal and newly differentiating neuronal precursors or immature neurons after spinal cord injury in adult zebrafish.
2
Sox11b regulates the expression of the neural stem cell associated gene Nestin and the proneural gene Ascl1a (Mash1a) in the injured spinal cord.
3
Morpholino-based suppression of Sox11b expression specifically impairs locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury, suggesting Sox11b is a critical transcription factor.

Research Summary

This study investigates the role of Sox11b in spinal cord regeneration in adult zebrafish. Microarray analysis revealed that Sox11b mRNA is up-regulated after spinal cord injury, particularly in ependymal cells and newly differentiating neurons. The study found that Sox11b regulates the expression of Nestin and Ascl1a, genes involved in stem cell self-renewal and cell fate specification. Knocking out Sox11b impairs locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury. The research suggests that Sox11b promotes neuronal determination of endogenous stem cells and regenerative neurogenesis following spinal cord injury, making it a potential target for restorative therapy in mammals.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

Enhancing Sox11b expression may promote restorative therapy after spinal cord injury in mammals by promoting proliferation and neurogenic determination of endogenous neural stem cells.

Understanding Regeneration

Understanding the role of Sox11b in zebrafish spinal cord regeneration can provide insights into the mechanisms of neural stem cell activation and differentiation.

Drug Development

Identifying molecules that can up-regulate Sox11b expression could lead to the development of novel therapies for spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on zebrafish, and the results may not be directly applicable to mammals.
2
The mechanisms by which Sox11b regulates Nestin and Ascl1a expression require further investigation.
3
The specific partner protein that corresponds to Sox11b in regulating target gene expression was not identified.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury