Neural progenitor cells but not astrocytes respond distally to thoracic spinal cord injury in rat models

Neural Regeneration Research, 2017 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.219051 · Published: November 1, 2017

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how different types of cells in the nervous system respond to a spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Specifically, it looks at neural progenitor cells (NPCs), astrocytes, and microglia. The researchers found that NPCs showed increased activity throughout the spinal cord after the injury, while astrocytes only showed increased activity at the site of the injury. Microglia, another type of cell, were activated at the injury site and extended to the lower part of the spinal cord. These findings suggest that different cell types respond differently to SCI, which could be important for developing new treatments to promote nerve regeneration.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

25 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) reactivity increased in the central canal at all levels of the spinal cord after thoracic SCI.
2
Astrocyte reactivity, measured by GFAP staining, increased only at the lesion epicenter after thoracic SCI.
3
Activated microglia numbers increased significantly at the lesion site and extended to the lumbar enlargement after thoracic SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigated the response of endogenous neural progenitor cells, astrocytes, and microglia to a localized thoracic SCI throughout the neuroaxis. Immunohistochemistry showed increased reactivity of neural progenitor cell marker nestin in the central canal at all levels of the spinal cord. These findings indicate that neural progenitor cells, astrocytes and microglia respond differently to a localized SCI, presumably due to differences in inflammatory signaling.

Practical Implications

Targeted Therapies

The different cellular responses observed may have implications for manipulating neural progenitor cells for neuroregeneration after SCI.

Understanding Inflammatory Signaling

The study suggests that different cellular responses are due to differences in inflammatory signaling after SCI.

CSF as a Signaling Pathway

The study indicates that NPCs and, to a lesser extent, microglia are responding to signals transported through the CSF.

Study Limitations

1
The study examined three spinal levels and one brain region at one early post-injury time point.
2
The study was a relatively simple investigation of tissue sections using immunohistochemical methods.
3
It will be critical to establish a direct link between inflammatory factors in CSF and a response by the ependymal cells.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury