N-Acetylglucosamine 6-O-Sulfotransferase-1-Deficient Mice Show Better Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Neurons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) typically don't regenerate after injuries. This study investigates the role of keratan sulfate, a type of glycosaminoglycan, in functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The researchers used mice deficient in N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase-1 (GlcNAc6ST-1), which lack a specific form of keratan sulfate. They found that these mice showed better motor function recovery after a spinal cord injury compared to normal mice. In vitro experiments showed that keratan sulfate proteoglycans are required for the inhibition of neurite outgrowth. This suggests that keratan sulfate plays a role in hindering nerve regeneration after injury.

• 1
  Mice lacking N-acetylglucosamine 6-O-sulfotransferase-1 (GlcNAc6ST-1), and thus deficient in keratan sulfate, exhibit significantly better motor function recovery after spinal cord injury, as measured by footfall tests, footprint tests, and Basso mouse scale locomotor scoring.
• 2
  The GlcNAc6ST-1-deficient mice showed a restoration of neuromuscular system function below the lesion after electrical stimulation, indicating improved nerve function.
• 3
  Axonal regrowth of both the corticospinal and raphespinal tracts was promoted in the GlcNAc6ST-1-deficient mice, suggesting enhanced nerve regeneration.