RhoA/Rho kinase in spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves an initial physical damage followed by a complex secondary injury process with molecular responses. This leads to pain, paralysis, and incontinence, with limited effective treatments currently available. RhoA/Rho kinase pathway is involved in many diseases including cardiovascular, cancer and neurological diseases. In SCI, the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway contributes to inflammation, neuropathic pain, cell death (acute phase) and axon degeneration (chronic phase). Studies indicate that inhibiting the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway can protect cells and promote axon regeneration after SCI, suggesting it as a promising treatment target. Further research is needed to determine optimal delivery methods, dosages, and treatment timing.

• 1
  Following SCI, active RhoA increases dramatically and remains elevated for an extended period in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and reactive astrocytes around the lesion area.
• 2
  The RhoA/Rho kinase pathway mediates inflammatory responses, inflammatory cell infiltration, and production of inflammatory cytokines after SCI.
• 3
  Inhibiting RhoA can significantly reduce apoptotic cell death after SCI, suggesting that activated RhoA promotes the synthesis of proapoptotic protein such as p75NTR.