Endothelial Foxo1 Phosphorylation Inhibition via Aptamer-Liposome Alleviates OPN-Induced Pathological Vascular Remodeling Following Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) often lead to significant disabilities due to damage to the neurovascular unit. This study explores how specific vascular changes occur after SCI and how to target them for treatment. The research found that traumatic SCI causes pathological vascular remodeling, characterized by enlarged blood vessels, a disrupted blood-spinal cord barrier, and increased extracellular matrix deposition. The study also identified osteopontin (OPN) as a critical factor that contributes to this remodeling. By inhibiting Foxo1 phosphorylation, the researchers mitigated vascular remodeling, which improved axon regeneration and neurological function recovery after SCI.

• 1
  Traumatic SCI leads to pathological vascular remodeling, including enlarged vessel diameter and disruption of the blood-spinal cord barrier.
• 2
  Osteopontin (OPN) promotes vascular regeneration but also contributes to pathological vascular remodeling after SCI.
• 3
  Targeted inhibition of Foxo1 phosphorylation mitigates vascular remodeling and enhances axon regeneration and neurological function recovery following SCI.