Molecular Determinants Fundamental to Axon Regeneration After SCI
Abstract
We hypothesize that the ability to grow an axon over CSPGs is intrinsic to adult zebrafish brainstem neurons and entails the expression of a distinct set of genes. This premise will be addressed using in vitro adult zebrafish brainstem cell culture systems and in vivo adult zebrafish spinal cord injury model systems. In cultures we have observed three distinct populations of brainstem neurons with regard to their response to chondroitin sulfates (CS). Some cells attach, extend processes, and remain exclusively associated with CS. Other cells attach outside and extend processes into CS-rich areas. A third kind of cell was found to attach outside and extend processes up to but never into CS-rich areas. In fact, these processes were clearly repelled by CS. We are currently quantifying different aspects of these three adult zebrafish brainstem neuron populations. It is clear from our first data that we are able to isolate adult zebrafish brainstem neurons and maintain these in culture in the presence of CS, while typical characteristics in relationship to CS remain present. Thus these cultures mimic the in vivo behaviors of brainstem populations after SCI. In parallel to these in vitro studies, we have developed minimally invasive spinal cord transection and tracer injection techniques. These are currently employed to investigate the evolution of the scar and the time course of axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. The data from these first in vivo experiments will serve as a basis to optimize our harvest of retrogradely labeled adult brainstem neurons that did or did not regenerate their axon beyond a transection site.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA631166
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Plunkett
- Martin Oudega
Organizations
- University of St. Thomas