Transcriptome Proﬁling after Early Spinal Cord Injury in the Axolotl and Its Comparison with Rodent Animal Models through RNA-Seq Data Analysis

Genes, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/genes14122189 · Published: December 8, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Bioinformatics Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition with no clinical treatment to restore function. Comparing molecular responses in regenerating versus non-regenerating animals can help find ways to restore neural function after SCI. The axolotl is able to regenerate regions of the brain or spinal cord after damage. This study compared transcriptomes after SCI in axolotls and rodents during acute and sub-acute phases by analyzing RNA-seq public datasets. Genes related to wound healing and immune responses were upregulated in all species after SCI. In axolotls, genes linked to early development were upregulated while those related to neuronal function were downregulated in the acute phase. Downregulation of processes related to sensorial and motor functions was observed only in rodents.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Axolotls, rats, and mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Immune-related processes increase shortly after SCI in both axolotls and rodents; however, rodents show a more pronounced immune response.
2
In axolotls, genes related to early development and neurogenesis are upregulated from the acute stage of SCI.
3
The loss of motor and sensory functions is exclusively detected in rodents during the sub-acute period of SCI.

Research Summary

This study compares the transcriptomic responses of axolotls and rodents after spinal cord injury (SCI) to identify gene expression differences during the initial days post-injury, aiming to find transcriptional programs enabling spinal cord regeneration in axolotls and understand why mammals cannot repair damaged spinal cords. The analysis revealed that immune-related processes are upregulated in both axolotls and rodents after SCI, but the immune response is more pronounced in rodents. In axolotls, genes related to early development and neurogenesis are upregulated in the acute stage, while the loss of motor and sensory functions is observed only in rodents. The study suggests that the molecular pathways activated in axolotls early after SCI could be useful for designing regenerative therapies for SCI in mammals, including humans.

Practical Implications

Regenerative Therapies

The approach used in this study might be useful for designing and establishing regenerative therapies after SCI in mammals, including humans.

Drug Development

Study in mammals the role of genes that are regulated in axolotls with SCI, to provide clues for the development of regenerative therapies.

Understanding Immune Response

Modulating immune responses to promote nerve regeneration

Study Limitations

1
The nature of the sample obtained for analysis may inﬂuence the results.
2
The regeneration capacity of axolotls decreases as age progresses
3
Expression patterns at the protein level may be different from what is observed at the transcript level

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