Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member APRIL contributes to fibrotic scar formation after spinal cord injury

Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2016 · DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0552-4 · Published: April 14, 2016

Simple Explanation

After a spinal cord injury, a fibrotic scar forms which inhibits axon growth. This study investigates the role of a protein called APRIL in this process. The researchers found that APRIL expression increases after spinal cord injury. Deleting the APRIL gene in mice led to reduced fibrotic scar formation and increased axon growth. The reduction in the fibrotic scar wasn't due to changes in cell proliferation, but rather due to a reduced inflammatory response with less immune cell infiltration at the injury site.

Study Duration

2 weeks

Participants

APRIL knockout and wild-type mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
APRIL expression, along with its receptor BCMA, increases following spinal cord injury.
2
Genetic deletion of APRIL leads to reduced fibrotic scar formation and increased axon growth after spinal cord injury.
3
APRIL knockout mice displayed reduced TNFα and CCL2 expression and less macrophage and B cell infiltration at the injury site.

Research Summary

The study investigates the role of APRIL in fibrotic scar formation after SCI, finding that APRIL and BCMA expression increases following SCI. Genetic deletion of APRIL resulted in reduced fibrotic scar formation and increased axon growth, not due to altered cell proliferation, but associated with decreased TNFα and CCL2 expression. The study concludes that APRIL contributes to fibrotic scar formation after SCI by mediating the inflammatory response and recruitment of leukocytes.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target Identification

APRIL could be a potential therapeutic target for reducing fibrotic scar formation after spinal cord injury.

Inflammation Modulation

Modulating the inflammatory response mediated by APRIL could improve axon growth and functional outcomes after SCI.

Leukocyte Recruitment Inhibition

Targeting APRIL could reduce macrophage and B cell infiltration, potentially limiting fibrotic scar development.

Study Limitations

1
The study was performed on mice and may not directly translate to humans.
2
The specific mechanisms by which APRIL regulates cytokine expression after SCI remain to be determined.
3
The study cannot rule out the possibility of direct effects of APRIL on leukocyte infiltration and/or fibrotic scar formation.

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