Modulation of inflammatory factors predicts the outcome following spinal cord injury

Human Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells Promote Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury In Rats By Regulating The Polarization Of Macrophages

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic nerve injury caused by extremely severe damage to the spinal cord, for which effective treatments are currently unavailable. Human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) are considered promising candidates for transplantation in various clinical and preclinical applications, due to their lack of limitations such as ethical barriers, immune rejection, tumorigenicity, or cell origin. Nevertheless, the effectiveness and mechanism by which hAESCs treat SCI remain elusive. To assess the motor function recovery process following SCI in rats, the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) behavior test, inclined plate scale and motor evoked potential (MEP) analysis were used in this study after transplantation of hAESCs at different doses. And the underlying mechanism was investigated by histological and molecular methods. The transplantation of hAESCs can significantly promote the recovery of motor function in SCI group, and the higher the dose, the better the effect. Compared with SCI group, hAESCs group had reduced tissue damage, significantly increased the number of neurons, neurofilaments and myelin sheath, and significantly reduced syringomyelia and glial scars. In addition, hAESCs inhibited the Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and increased the expression of the interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), and promoted the shift of M1-polarized macrophages to M2-polarized macrophages. Our results demonstrate that hAESCs promoted the recovery of motor function after SCI by promoting M2 polarization of macrophages and reducing neuroinflammation. These findings may provide novel therapeutic strategies for SCI.

Dysregulated MiR-223-5p Modulates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the miR-223-5p expression in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine its role in the pathogenesis of SCI.

METHODS

The serum miR-223-5p levels were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic accuracy of miR-223-5p was evaluated using the receiving operating characteristic curves. LPS-induced PC12 cells were established as an in vitro inflammatory cell model. Cell apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress were examined. The SCI rat model was constructed to evaluate the effects of miR-223-5p on inflammatory response and motor function in rats.

RESULTS

MiR-223-5p expression was upregulated in SCI patients. MiR-223-5p expression in the complete SCI group was significantly higher than that in incomplete SCI group. ROC analysis showed that miR-223-5p can distinguish SCI patients from healthy volunteers. In vitro experiments demonstrated that LPS upregulated apoptosis and inflammation in PC12 cells. Treatment with miR-223-5p inhibitor alleviated the changes in LPS-induced PC12 cells . Inhibition of miR-223-5p can alleviate the activation of inflammatory response and the effects of SCI on the motor function in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-223-5p is a potential diagnostic marker for SCI, and it can promote the SCI progression by regulating nerve cell survival, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

The Role of Interleukin-10 in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that often leads to severe and permanent neurological deficits. The complex pathophysiology of an SCI involves a cascade of events, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and secondary injury processes. Among the myriad of molecular players involved, interleukin-10 (IL-10) emerges as a key regulator with the potential to modulate both the inflammatory response and promote neuroprotection. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate interplay of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of an SCI and explores its therapeutic implications in the quest for effective treatments. IL-10 has been found to regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, and glial scars after an SCI. Its neuroprotective properties have been evaluated in a plethora of animal studies. IL-10 administration, either isolated or in combination with other molecules or biomaterials, has shown neuroprotective effects through a reduction in inflammation, the promotion of tissue repair and regeneration, the modulation of glial scar formation, and improved functional outcomes. In conclusion, IL-10 emerges as a pivotal player in the pathogenesis and treatment of SCIs. Its multifaceted role in modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, glial scars, and neuroprotection positions IL-10 as a promising therapeutic target. The ongoing research exploring various strategies for harnessing the potential of IL-10 offers hope for the development of effective treatments that could significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries. As our understanding of IL-10's intricacies deepens, it opens new avenues for innovative and targeted therapeutic interventions, bringing us closer to the goal of alleviating the profound impact of SCIs on patients' lives.

Mechanism of Valeriana Jatamansi Jones for the treatment of spinal cord injury based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by high rates of disability and death. Valeriana jatamansi Jones (VJJ), a Chinese herbal medicine, has been identified to improve motor function recovery in rats with SCI. The study aimed to analyze the potential molecular mechanisms of action of VJJ in the treatment of SCI. The main ingredients of VJJ were obtained from the literature and the SwissADME platform was used to screen the active ingredients. The Swiss TargetPrediction platform was used to predict the targets of VJJ, and the targets of SCI were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. The intersecting genes were considered potential targets of VJJ in SCI. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database and the hub genes of VJJ for SCI treatment were screened according to their degree values. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. Cytoscape software was used to construct the "herb-ingredient-target-pathway" network. Preliminary validation was performed using molecular docking via Auto Dock Vina software. A total of 56 active ingredients of VJJ, mainly iridoids, were identified. There were 1493 GO items (P < .01) and 173 signaling pathways (P < .01) obtained from GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment, including the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway, and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that 12 hub genes enriched in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway had a high binding affinity for the active ingredient of VJJ. VJJ may exert its therapeutic effects on SCI through the iridoid fraction, acting on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, CASP3, AKT1, tumor necrosis factor, mammalian target of rapamycin, interleukin 6, and other hub genes, which may be related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Human Spinal Cord Injury: The Effect on Individual Values of pNF-H, GFAP, S100 Proteins and Selected Growth Factors, Cytokines and Chemokines

At present, there is no effective way to treat the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI leads to the death of neural and glial cells and widespread neuroinflammation with persisting for several weeks after the injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is one of the most promising approaches in the treatment of this injury. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression profile of multiple cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and so-called neuromarkers in the serum of an SCI patient treated with autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). SCI resulted in a significant increase in the levels of neuromarkers and proteins involved in the inflammatory process. BM-MSCs administration resulted in significant changes in the levels of neuromarkers (S100, GFAP, and pNF-H) as well as changes in the expression of proteins and growth factors involved in the inflammatory response following SCI in the serum of a patient with traumatic SCI. Our preliminary results encouraged that BM-MSCs with their neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects could affect the repair process after injury.