Spatiotemporal microvascular changes following contusive spinal cord injury

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1152131 · Published: March 21, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries disrupt blood vessel integrity, affecting recovery. This study maps how capillaries change after injury to find treatment targets. Researchers induced spinal cord injuries in rats and analyzed blood vessel density and structure at different time points post-injury. The study found significant blood vessel damage acutely after injury, followed by some recovery, identifying potential targets for treatments aimed at improving blood vessel health and neural regeneration.

Study Duration

45 days

Participants

24 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Original Research

Key Findings

1
Acute microvascular disruption was evident post-SCI, particularly at the injury epicentre, spreading three spinal segments rostrally and caudally.
2
Reductions in all morphological parameters (95–99% at day 2 post-SCI) implied vessel regression and/or collapse acutely.
3
Some evidence of angiogenesis was seen during recovery from days 2 to 45, indicated by increased vessel density, surface area, and areal density at day 45.

Research Summary

This study quantified structural changes in capillary morphology and microstructure from the acute to chronic stages of SCI, providing insights into the microvascular pathology and potential targets for neuroregeneration. Regression or collapse of microvessels occurred at acute stages, with reductions in vessel density, surface area, and areal density, while increases in vessel surface area and areal density were seen further from the injury epicentre. Ultrastructural analysis revealed endothelial damage, basement membrane swelling, and intercellular cleft widening, suggesting early blood-spinal cord barrier disruption and highlighting the need to stabilize tight junctions for neuroregeneration.

Practical Implications

Stabilizing Damaged Capillaries

Targeting the stabilization of damaged capillaries post-SCI can mitigate secondary injury and promote a more favorable microenvironment for neural recovery.

Replacing Destroyed Vessels

Developing strategies to replace destroyed vessels through angiogenesis can improve functional outcomes following SCI.

Promoting Neurovascular Unit Cohesiveness

Enhancing the cohesiveness of the neurovascular unit, including endothelial cells, basement membrane, pericytes, and astrocytes, can improve the blood-spinal cord barrier integrity.

Study Limitations

1
The study used a rat model, which may not fully replicate human SCI.
2
The sample size for TEM analysis was small (n=2), limiting the statistical power of these findings.
3
The study did not directly quantify astrocyte contribution to the BSCB following SCI.

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