Regenerative Medicine Research

KEY FINDING: Leech CNS regeneration involves microglial cells and nitric oxide, which facilitate axon regrowth and reconnection with appropriate synaptic targets.

KEY FINDING: Two new mouse models of SCI using either graded forceps or Allen’s weight drop system were developed.

KEY FINDING: Adding GDNF, HGF, and IGF-1 to the cell transplant significantly increased motoneuron survival, myelinated axon counts, muscle reinnervation, and evoked EMG compared to cells alone.

KEY FINDING: OMgp was almost exclusively expressed in the CNS, with slight expression in cardiac muscle and liver. It was not found in lung, kidney, or skeletal muscle.

KEY FINDING: The PNS environment is stimulatory and/or the CNS environment is inhibitory for axon growth.

KEY FINDING: Neither the reanalyzed Nogo-A,B gene-trap mutant nor the novel Nogo deletion mutant exhibited enhanced corticospinal tract (CST) regeneration after experimental spinal cord injury.

KEY FINDING: NT-3 expression in the correct target (nucleus gracilis) led to reinnervation in a dose-related fashion.

KEY FINDING: ChABC injection rostral to a hemisection injury promoted significant sprouting of 5HT+ fibers into the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord.

KEY FINDING: Peripheral nerve transplantation can promote CNS axon regeneration if the environment is suitable.

KEY FINDING: The study successfully generated an OMgp allelic series in mice, including a null allele with a LacZ reporter, one without a reporter gene (clean null), and a conditional allele.