Amantadine modulates novel macrophage phenotypes to enhance neural repair following spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers an inflammatory response that hinders neural repair. Modulating macrophage phenotypes, which are immune cells, is a therapeutic strategy to reduce inflammation and promote regeneration after SCI. The study used microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing to identify gene expression changes and immune cell behavior in mice after SCI. They found that amantadine, a drug, can shift macrophages from inflammatory subtypes to subtypes that promote healing. Amantadine promotes neural regeneration and enhances functional recovery following SCI. This is achieved through the modulation of macrophage phenotypes.

• 1
  Three distinct macrophage subtypes were identified in the injured spinal cord: border-associated macrophages (BAMs), inflammatory macrophages (IMs), and chemotaxis-inducing macrophages (CIMs).
• 2
  Amantadine reduces Il-1b+ IMs and facilitates the transition to Mrc1+ BAMs and Arg1+ CIMs, likely through modulation of the HIF-1α and NF-κB pathways.
• 3
  Amantadine treatment led to improved motor function recovery, increased amplitude, and reduced latency in motor evoked potential (MEP) testing, indicating improved neural conduction.