Genome Wide Expression Profiling during Spinal Cord Regeneration Identifies Comprehensive Cellular Responses in Zebrafish

PLoS ONE, 2014 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084212 · Published: January 20, 2014

Bioinformatics Research Methodology & Design Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Teleost fish like zebrafish can regenerate their central nervous system after injury, unlike mammals. This study uses zebrafish to study spinal cord injury and regeneration, using high density microarrays to profile transcriptome dynamics during the entire process. The study identifies event-specific gene expression related to inflammation, cell death, cell migration, cell proliferation, neurogenesis, neural patterning, and axonal regrowth during spinal cord regeneration. The research provides a comprehensive genetic blueprint of the cellular responses during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish, highlighting different event-specific gene expressions that could be understood and manipulated to induce regeneration in mammals.

Study Duration

15 Days

Participants

50-60 adult zebrafish per time point

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A total of 3842 genes were found to be differentially expressed during spinal cord regeneration, with maximum numbers of genes differentially expressed at 7 days post injury.
2
The study identifies spatio-temporal expression of stat3 and suggests its possible function in controlling inflammation and cell proliferation during regeneration.
3
Several genes involved in PNS regeneration in mammals like stat3, socs3, atf3, mmp9 and sox11 are upregulated in zebrafish SCI thus creating PNS like environment after injury.

Research Summary

This study utilizes a high-density microarray to profile the temporal transcriptome dynamics during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish, identifying 3842 differentially expressed genes. Cluster analysis revealed event-specific dynamic expression of genes related to various cellular processes like inflammation, cell death, cell migration, cell proliferation, neurogenesis, neural patterning, and axonal regrowth. The research highlights the importance of different event-specific gene expression and suggests potential targets for manipulation to induce successful regeneration in mammals.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target Identification

Identifies potential gene targets (e.g., stat3, socs3) that could be manipulated to promote spinal cord regeneration in mammals.

Understanding Regenerative Mechanisms

Provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying spinal cord regeneration, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.

Comparative Regenerative Biology

Offers a comparative analysis of regenerative processes between zebrafish and mammals, which can inform translational research.

Study Limitations

1
The study focuses on gene expression profiling and lacks functional validation for all identified genes.
2
The research is limited to zebrafish and may not directly translate to mammalian systems.
3
The study doesn't address long-term functional outcomes of the observed gene expression changes.

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