Conditional Sox9 Ablation Reduces Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan Levels and Improves Motor Function Following Spinal Cord Injury

After a spinal cord injury, a glial scar forms, which inhibits the regeneration of damaged nerve fibers. This study investigated whether reducing the expression of a protein called SOX9 could decrease the formation of this scar and promote recovery. The researchers found that mice with reduced SOX9 expression after spinal cord injury had lower levels of scar-forming molecules and improved motor function compared to control mice. These findings suggest that targeting SOX9 could be a potential strategy for treating spinal cord injuries and promoting nerve regeneration.

• 1
  Conditional Sox9 knock-out mice expressed reduced levels of CSPG biosynthetic enzymes, CSPG core proteins, collagens, and Gfap in the injured spinal cord.
• 2
  Sox9 conditional knock-out mice displayed improved hind limb function and locomotor recovery.
• 3
  Histological assessments confirmed reduced CSPG deposition and collagenous scarring, increased neurofilament-positive fibers, and increased serotonin immunoreactivity.