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Costa G, Ribeiro FF, Sebastião AM, Muir EM, Vaz SH. Bridging the gap of axonal regeneration in the central nervous system: A state of the art review on central axonal regeneration. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1003145. [PMID: 36440273 PMCID: PMC9682039 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1003145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is an important field of research with relevance to all types of neuronal injuries, including neurodegenerative diseases. The glial scar is a result of the astrocyte response to CNS injury. It is made up of many components creating a complex environment in which astrocytes play various key roles. The glial scar is heterogeneous, diverse and its composition depends upon the injury type and location. The heterogeneity of the glial scar observed in different situations of CNS damage and the consequent implications for axon regeneration have not been reviewed in depth. The gap in this knowledge will be addressed in this review which will also focus on our current understanding of central axonal regeneration and the molecular mechanisms involved. The multifactorial context of CNS regeneration is discussed, and we review newly identified roles for components previously thought to solely play an inhibitory role in central regeneration: astrocytes and p75NTR and discuss their potential and relevance for deciding therapeutic interventions. The article ends with a comprehensive review of promising new therapeutic targets identified for axonal regeneration in CNS and a discussion of novel ways of looking at therapeutic interventions for several brain diseases and injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa F. Ribeiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Sebastião
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra H. Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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2
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Tansley S, Gu N, Guzmán AU, Cai W, Wong C, Lister K, Muñoz-Pino E, Yousefpour N, Roome RB, Heal J, Wu N, Castonguay A, Lean G, Muir EM, Kania A, Prager-Khoutorsky M, Zhang J, Gkogkas CG, Fawcett JW, Diatchenko L, Ribeiro-da-Silva A, De Koninck Y, Mogil JS, Khoutorsky A. Microglia-mediated degradation of perineuronal nets promotes pain. Science 2022; 377:80-86. [PMID: 35617374 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl6773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Activation of microglia in the spinal cord dorsal horn following peripheral nerve injury contributes to the development of pain hypersensitivity. How activated microglia selectively enhance the activity of spinal nociceptive circuits is not well understood. We discovered that following peripheral nerve injury, microglia degrade extracellular matrix structures, perineuronal nets (PNNs), in lamina I of the spinal cord dorsal horn. Lamina I PNNs selectively enwrap spinoparabrachial projection neurons, which integrate nociceptive information in the spinal cord and convey it to supraspinal brain regions to induce pain sensation. Degradation of PNNs by microglia enhances the activity of projection neurons and induces pain-related behaviors. Thus, nerve injury-induced degradation of PNNs is a mechanism by which microglia selectively augment the output of spinal nociceptive circuits and cause pain hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Tansley
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ning Gu
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alba Ureña Guzmán
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Weihua Cai
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Calvin Wong
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kevin Lister
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Einer Muñoz-Pino
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Noosha Yousefpour
- Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - R Brian Roome
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jordyn Heal
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Neil Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie Castonguay
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Graham Lean
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Artur Kania
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, QC, Canada.,Departement of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Ji Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christos G Gkogkas
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute for Experimental Medicine CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Luda Diatchenko
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alfredo Ribeiro-da-Silva
- Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Departement of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves De Koninck
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Departement of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Mogil
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Eggers R, de Winter F, Smit L, Luimens M, Muir EM, Bradbury EJ, Tannemaat MR, Verhaagen J. Combining timed GDNF and ChABC gene therapy to promote long-distance regeneration following ventral root avulsion and repair. FASEB J 2020; 34:10605-10622. [PMID: 32543730 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000559r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ventral root avulsion leads to severe motoneuron degeneration and prolonged distal nerve denervation. After a critical period, a state of chronic denervation develops as repair Schwann cells lose their pro-regenerative properties and inhibitory factors such as CSPGs accumulate in the denervated nerve. In rats with ventral root avulsion injuries, we combined timed GDNF gene therapy delivered to the proximal nerve roots with the digestion of inhibitory CSPGs in the distal denervated nerve using sustained lentiviral-mediated chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) enzyme expression. Following reimplantation of lumbar ventral roots, timed GDNF-gene therapy enhanced motoneuron survival up to 45 weeks and improved axonal outgrowth, electrophysiological recovery, and muscle reinnervation. Despite a timed GDNF expression period, a subset of animals displayed axonal coils. Lentiviral delivery of ChABC enabled digestion of inhibitory CSPGs for up to 45 weeks in the chronically denervated nerve. ChABC gene therapy alone did not enhance motoneuron survival, but led to improved muscle reinnervation and modest electrophysiological recovery during later stages of the regeneration process. Combining GDNF treatment with digestion of inhibitory CSPGs did not have a significant synergistic effect. This study suggests a delicate balance exists between treatment duration and concentration in order to achieve therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Eggers
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fred de Winter
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte Smit
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maruelle Luimens
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), London, UK
| | - Martijn R Tannemaat
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognition Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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4
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Burnside ER, De Winter F, Didangelos A, James ND, Andreica EC, Layard-Horsfall H, Muir EM, Verhaagen J, Bradbury EJ. Immune-evasive gene switch enables regulated delivery of chondroitinase after spinal cord injury. Brain 2019; 141:2362-2381. [PMID: 29912283 PMCID: PMC6061881 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitinase ABC is a promising preclinical therapy that promotes functional neuroplasticity after CNS injury by degrading extracellular matrix inhibitors. Efficient delivery of chondroitinase ABC to the injured mammalian spinal cord can be achieved by viral vector transgene delivery. This approach dramatically modulates injury pathology and restores sensorimotor functions. However, clinical development of this therapy is limited by a lack of ability to exert control over chondroitinase gene expression. Prior experimental gene regulation platforms are likely to be incompatible with the non-resolving adaptive immune response known to occur following spinal cord injury. Therefore, here we apply a novel immune-evasive dual vector system, in which the chondroitinase gene is under a doxycycline inducible regulatory switch, utilizing a chimeric transactivator designed to evade T cell recognition. Using this novel vector system, we demonstrate tight temporal control of chondroitinase ABC gene expression, effectively removing treatment upon removal of doxycycline. This enables a comparison of short and long-term gene therapy paradigms in the treatment of clinically-relevant cervical level contusion injuries in adult rats. We reveal that transient treatment (2.5 weeks) is sufficient to promote improvement in sensory axon conduction and ladder walking performance. However, in tasks requiring skilled reaching and grasping, only long term treatment (8 weeks) leads to significantly improved function, with rats able to accurately grasp and retrieve sugar pellets. The late emergence of skilled hand function indicates enhanced neuroplasticity and connectivity and correlates with increased density of vGlut1+ innervation in spinal cord grey matter, particularly in lamina III–IV above and below the injury. Thus, our novel gene therapy system provides an experimental tool to study temporal effects of extracellular matrix digestion as well as an encouraging step towards generating a safer chondroitinase gene therapy strategy, longer term administration of which increases neuroplasticity and recovery of descending motor control. This preclinical study could have a significant impact for tetraplegic individuals, for whom recovery of hand function is an important determinant of independence, and supports the ongoing development of chondroitinase gene therapy towards clinical application for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Burnside
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Fred De Winter
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Athanasios Didangelos
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nicholas D James
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elena-Cristina Andreica
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Hugo Layard-Horsfall
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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5
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Carwardine D, Prager J, Neeves J, Muir EM, Uney J, Granger N, Wong LF. Transplantation of canine olfactory ensheathing cells producing chondroitinase ABC promotes chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan digestion and axonal sprouting following spinal cord injury. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188967. [PMID: 29228020 PMCID: PMC5724818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising strategy for treating spinal cord injury (SCI), as has been demonstrated in experimental SCI models and naturally occurring SCI in dogs. However, the presence of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans within the extracellular matrix of the glial scar can inhibit efficient axonal repair and limit the therapeutic potential of OECs. Here we have used lentiviral vectors to genetically modify canine OECs to continuously deliver mammalian chondroitinase ABC at the lesion site in order to degrade the inhibitory chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in a rodent model of spinal cord injury. We demonstrate that these chondroitinase producing canine OECs survived at 4 weeks following transplantation into the spinal cord lesion and effectively digested chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans at the site of injury. There was evidence of sprouting within the corticospinal tract rostral to the lesion and an increase in the number of corticospinal axons caudal to the lesion, suggestive of axonal regeneration. Our results indicate that delivery of the chondroitinase enzyme can be achieved with the genetically modified OECs to increase axon growth following SCI. The combination of these two promising approaches is a potential strategy for promoting neural regeneration following SCI in veterinary practice and human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Carwardine
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Prager
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Neeves
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Uney
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Granger
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Liang-Fong Wong
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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6
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Das S, Sharma M, Saharia D, Sarma KK, Muir EM, Bora U. Electrospun silk-polyaniline conduits for functional nerve regeneration in rat sciatic nerve injury model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMID: 28632137 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/aa7802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes the fabrication of polyaniline-silk fibroin (PASF) nanocomposite-based nerve conduits and their subsequent implantation in a rat sciatic nerve injury model for peripheral nerve regeneration. This is the first in vivo study of polyaniline-based nerve conduits describing the safety and efficacy of the conduits in treating peripheral nerve injuries. The nanocomposite was synthesized by electrospinning a mixture of silk fibroin protein and polyaniline wherein the silk nanofibers were observed to be uniformly coated with polyaniline nanoparticles. Tubular shaped nerve conduits were subsequently formed by multiple rolling of the electrospun sheet over a stainless steel mandrel. The conduits were characterized in vitro for their physico-chemical properties as well as their compatibility with rat Schwann cells. Upon implantation in a 10 mm sciatic nerve injury model, the conduits were evaluated for their neuro-regenerative potential through extensive electrophysiological studies and monitoring of gait pattern over a course of 12 months. Gross examination, histological and ultra-structure analyses of the conduits and the regenerated nerve were also performed to evaluate morphological regeneration of transected nerve. PASF nanocomposite conduits seeded with Schwann cell (cell seeded PASF) exhibited excellent nerve conduction velocity (NCV) (50 m s-1), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) (12.8 mV), motor unit potential (MUP) (124 μV), growth of healthy tissue along the nerve gap and thick myelination of axons 12 months after implantation indicating enhanced neuro-regeneration. The excellent functional recovery achieved by animals implanted with cell seeded PASF conduits (86.2% NCV; 80.00% CMAP; 76.07% MUP) are superior to outcomes achieved previously with similar electrically conductive conduits. We believe that the present study would encourage further research in developing electrically active neural implants using synthetic conducting polymers and the in vivo applications of the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suradip Das
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India
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7
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Carwardine D, Wong LF, Fawcett JW, Muir EM, Granger N. Canine olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory mucosa can be engineered to produce active chondroitinase ABC. J Neurol Sci 2016; 367:311-8. [PMID: 27423610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A multitude of factors must be overcome following spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to achieve clinical improvement in patients. It is thought that by combining promising therapies these diverse factors could be combatted with the aim of producing an overall improvement in function. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) present in the glial scar that forms following SCI present a significant block to axon regeneration. Digestion of CSPGs by chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) leads to axon regeneration, neuronal plasticity and functional improvement in preclinical models of SCI. However, the enzyme activity decays at body temperature within 24-72h, limiting the translational potential of ChABC as a therapy. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have shown huge promise as a cell transplant therapy in SCI. Their beneficial effects have been demonstrated in multiple small animal SCI models as well as in naturally occurring SCI in canine patients. In the present study, we have genetically modified canine OECs from the mucosa to constitutively produce enzymatically active ChABC. We have developed a lentiviral vector that can deliver a mammalian modified version of the ChABC gene to mammalian cells, including OECs. Enzyme production was quantified using the Morgan-Elson assay that detects the breakdown products of CSPG digestion in cell supernatants. We confirmed our findings by immunolabelling cell supernatant samples using Western blotting. OECs normal cell function was unaffected by genetic modification as demonstrated by normal microscopic morphology and the presence of the low affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75(NGF)) following viral transduction. We have developed the means to allow production of active ChABC in combination with a promising cell transplant therapy for SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Carwardine
- University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Science Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
| | - Liang-Fong Wong
- University of Bristol, School of Clinical Sciences, Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Biomedical Science Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
| | - James W Fawcett
- University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, E.D. Adrian Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, United Kingdom.
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, Anatomy Building, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicolas Granger
- University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford House, Langford, North Somerset BS40 5DU, United Kingdom.
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James ND, Shea J, Muir EM, Verhaagen J, Schneider BL, Bradbury EJ. Chondroitinase gene therapy improves upper limb function following cervical contusion injury. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:131-5. [PMID: 26044197 PMCID: PMC4590527 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are known to be important contributors to the intensely inhibitory environment that prevents tissue repair and regeneration following spinal cord injury. The bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) degrades these inhibitory molecules and has repeatedly been shown to promote functional recovery in a number of spinal cord injury models. However, when used to treat more traumatic and clinically relevant spinal contusion injuries, findings with the ChABC enzyme have been inconsistent. We recently demonstrated that delivery of mammalian-compatible ChABC via gene therapy led to sustained and widespread digestion of CSPGs, resulting in significant functional repair of a moderate thoracic contusion injury in adult rats. Here we demonstrate that chondroitinase gene therapy significantly enhances upper limb function following cervical contusion injury, with improved forelimb ladder performance and grip strength as well as increased spinal conduction through the injury site and reduced lesion pathology. This is an important addition to our previous findings as improving upper limb function is a top priority for spinal injured patients. Additionally great importance is placed on replication in the spinal cord injury field. That chondroitinase gene therapy has now been shown to be efficacious in contusion models at either thoracic or cervical level is an important step in the further development of this promising therapeutic strategy towards the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas D James
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jessie Shea
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth J Bradbury
- King's College London, Regeneration Group, The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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Alves JN, Muir EM, Andrews MR, Ward A, Michelmore N, Dasgupta D, Verhaagen J, Moloney EB, Keynes RJ, Fawcett JW, Rogers JH. AAV vector-mediated secretion of chondroitinase provides a sensitive tracer for axonal arborisations. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 227:107-20. [PMID: 24583077 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
As part of a project to express chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) in neurons of the central nervous system, we have inserted a modified ChABC gene into an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector and injected it into the vibrissal motor cortex in adult rats to determine the extent and distribution of expression of the enzyme. A similar vector for expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the same location. For each vector, two versions with minor differences were used, giving similar results. After 4 weeks, the brains were stained to show GFP and products of chondroitinase digestion. Chondroitinase was widely expressed, and the AAV-ChABC and AAV-GFP vectors gave similar expression patterns in many respects, consistent with the known projections from the directly transduced neurons in vibrissal motor cortex and adjacent cingulate cortex. In addition, diffusion of vector to deeper neuronal populations led to labelling of remote projection fields which was much more extensive with AAV-ChABC than with AAV-GFP. The most notable of these populations are inferred to be neurons of cortical layer 6, projecting widely in the thalamus, and neurons of the anterior pole of the hippocampus, projecting through most of the hippocampus. We conclude that, whereas GFP does not label the thinnest axonal branches of some neuronal types, chondroitinase is efficiently secreted from these arborisations and enables their extent to be sensitively visualised. After 12 weeks, chondroitinase expression was undiminished.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Nuno Alves
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK; Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Melissa R Andrews
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Anneliese Ward
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Nicholas Michelmore
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Debayan Dasgupta
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth B Moloney
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Roger J Keynes
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - John H Rogers
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Kanno H, Pressman Y, Moody A, Berg R, Muir EM, Rogers JH, Ozawa H, Itoi E, Pearse DD, Bunge MB. Combination of engineered Schwann cell grafts to secrete neurotrophin and chondroitinase promotes axonal regeneration and locomotion after spinal cord injury. J Neurosci 2014; 34:1838-55. [PMID: 24478364 PMCID: PMC3905147 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2661-13.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair. SCs introduced into lesions support axon regeneration, but because these axons do not exit the transplant, additional approaches with SCs are needed. Here, we transplanted SCs genetically modified to secrete a bifunctional neurotrophin (D15A) and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) into a subacute contusion injury in rats. We examined the effects of these modifications on graft volume, SC number, degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), astrogliosis, SC myelination of axons, propriospinal and supraspinal axon numbers, locomotor outcome (BBB scoring, CatWalk gait analysis), and mechanical and thermal sensitivity on the hind paws. D15A secreted from transplanted SCs increased graft volume and SC number and myelinated axon number. SCs secreting ChABC significantly decreased CSPGs, led to some egress of SCs from the graft, and increased propriospinal and 5-HT-positive axons in the graft. SCs secreting both D15A and ChABC yielded the best responses: (1) the largest number of SC myelinated axons, (2) more propriospinal axons in the graft and host tissue around and caudal to it, (3) more corticospinal axons closer to the graft and around and caudal to it, (4) more brainstem neurons projecting caudal to the transplant, (5) increased 5-HT-positive axons in the graft and caudal to it, (6) significant improvement in aspects of locomotion, and (7) improvement in mechanical and thermal allodynia. This is the first evidence that the combination of SC transplants engineered to secrete neurotrophin and chondroitinase further improves axonal regeneration and locomotor and sensory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Kanno
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom, and
| | - John H. Rogers
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom, and
| | - Hiroshi Ozawa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | - Eiji Itoi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 9808574
| | - Damien D. Pearse
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- Neuroscience Program
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and
| | - Mary Bartlett Bunge
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Department of Neurological Surgery
- Neuroscience Program
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
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11
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Zhao RR, Muir EM, Alves JN, Rickman H, Allan AY, Kwok JC, Roet KC, Verhaagen J, Schneider BL, Bensadoun JC, Ahmed SG, Yáñez-Muñoz RJ, Keynes RJ, Fawcett JW, Rogers JH. Lentiviral vectors express chondroitinase ABC in cortical projections and promote sprouting of injured corticospinal axons. J Neurosci Methods 2011; 201:228-38. [PMID: 21855577 PMCID: PMC3235548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2011] [Revised: 08/02/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several diseases and injuries of the central nervous system could potentially be treated by delivery of an enzyme, which might most effectively be achieved by gene therapy. In particular, the bacterial enzyme chondroitinase ABC is beneficial in animal models of spinal cord injury. We have adapted the chondroitinase gene so that it can direct secretion of active chondroitinase from mammalian cells, and inserted it into lentiviral vectors. When injected into adult rat brain, these vectors lead to extensive secretion of chondroitinase, both locally and from long-distance axon projections, with activity persisting for more than 4 weeks. In animals which received a simultaneous lesion of the corticospinal tract, the vector reduced axonal die-back and promoted sprouting and short-range regeneration of corticospinal axons. The same beneficial effects on damaged corticospinal axons were observed in animals which received the chondroitinase lentiviral vector directly into the vicinity of a spinal cord lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Zhao
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Elizabeth M. Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - João Nuno Alves
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Hannah Rickman
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Anna Y. Allan
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Jessica C. Kwok
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Kasper C.D. Roet
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, 1105BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard L. Schneider
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Charles Bensadoun
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sherif G. Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez-Muñoz
- School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Roger J. Keynes
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - James W. Fawcett
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0PY, UK
| | - John H. Rogers
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 1223 3 33865; fax: +44 1223 3 33840.
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12
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Muir EM, Fyfe I, Gardiner S, Li L, Warren P, Fawcett JW, Keynes RJ, Rogers JH. Modification of N-glycosylation sites allows secretion of bacterial chondroitinase ABC from mammalian cells. J Biotechnol 2009; 145:103-10. [PMID: 19900493 PMCID: PMC2809921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2009.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2009] [Revised: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Although many eukaryotic proteins have been secreted by transfected bacterial cells, little is known about how a bacterial protein is treated as it passes through the secretory pathway when expressed in a eukaryotic cell. The eukaryotic N-glycosylation system could interfere with folding and secretion of prokaryotic proteins whose sequence has not been adapted for glycosylation in structurally appropriate locations. Here we show that such interference does indeed occur for chondroitinase ABC from the bacterium Proteus vulgaris, and can be overcome by eliminating potential N-glycosylation sites. Chondroitinase ABC was heavily glycosylated when expressed in mammalian cells or in a mammalian translation system, and this process prevented secretion of functional enzyme. Directed mutagenesis of selected N-glycosylation sites allowed efficient secretion of active chondroitinase. As these proteoglycans are known to inhibit regeneration of axons in the mammalian central nervous system, the modified chondroitinase gene is a potential tool for gene therapy to promote neural regeneration, ultimately in human spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Muir
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE By using a nerve amputee model of the rat sciatic nerve (Lago and Navarro, 2007), we have tested a strategy for the long-term maintenance of regenerated axons without distal target reinnervation, by grafting Schwann cells (SCs) into a capped silicone chamber containing the ending nerve stump. METHODS The sciatic nerve of rats was transected and repaired with a silicone tube, the distal nerve was again cut at 10 mm and inserted in a capped tube that was filled with saline or with a suspension of cultured SCs. Transplants of SCs obtained from primary cultures have been compared with those of an immortalized SC line (SCTM41) or the same line overexpressing GDNF. RESULTS The histological results show that nerve fibers were able to regenerate through a short distal nerve segment ending into the capped chamber, and sustain distal branches without degenerating for several months. There was abundant axonal sprouting forming an ending neuroma, and the caliber of myelinated fibers remained far thinner than normal during the 9 months investigated. With a distal transplant of primary SCs there were significantly more regenerated myelinated fibers than in the control group at 9 months, indicating that the grafted cells stimulated the axonal growth response and helped to maintain survival of axon branches. In contrast, axonal regeneration was significantly reduced with grafts of SCTM41 cells, probably due to physical competition between cell proliferation and axonal growth. SCTM41 cells overexpressing GDNF improved the regenerative response with respect to the parent SCTM41 cells, although not to the same extent as the primary SCs. CONCLUSION A graft of primary SCs in the capped chamber stimulated axonal growth response and/or maintained survival of axonal branches on the long term in the nerve amputee model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lago
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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14
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Lawrence JM, Keegan DJ, Muir EM, Coffey PJ, Rogers JH, Wilby MJ, Fawcett JW, Lund RD. Transplantation of Schwann Cell Line Clones Secreting GDNF or BDNF into the Retinas of Dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons Rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2004; 45:267-74. [PMID: 14691183 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.03-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the capacity of a retrovirus-engineered Schwann cell line (SCTM41), transfected with either a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) construct or a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) construct, to sustain visual function in the dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat. METHODS Cell suspensions were injected into the subretinal space of the right eye of 3-week-old dystrophic RCS rats through a transscleral approach. The left eye remained as an unoperated control. Sham-surgery animals received injections of carrier medium plus DNase to the right eye. All animals were placed on oral cyclosporine. At 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age, animals were placed in a head-tracking apparatus and screened for their ability to track square-wave gratings at various spatial frequencies (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 cyc/deg). At the end of the experiment, the animals were perfused and processed for histologic assessment of photoreceptor survival. RESULTS Animals with SCTM41-GDNF-secreting cells, on average, head tracked longer than animals with SCTM41-BDNF-secreting cells, and both performed better than those injected with the parent SCTM41 line. All tracked longer than sham-surgery or nonsurgical dystrophic eyes. Each cell type demonstrated preservation of photoreceptors up to at least 4 months of age, over and above the sham-surgery control. CONCLUSIONS Engineered Schwann cells sustain retinal structure and function in the dystrophic RCS rat. Cells overexpressing GDNF or BDNF had a greater effect on photoreceptor survival than the parent line or sham surgery. This study demonstrates that ex vivo gene therapy and subsequent cell transplantation can be effective in preserving photoreceptors from the cell death that normally accompanies retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Lawrence
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.
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15
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Abstract
If gene therapy is to be used to promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, a suitable vector for transgene delivery must be obtained. Replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors are promising candidates. We have examined whether they can express a LacZ transgene in injured neurons of adult rat brain. We transected the medial forebrain bundle, injected replication-defective HSV/LacZ vectors close to the lesion site, and looked for transgene expression at 2-14 days after the lesion. The vectors carried the LacZ transgene controlled either by the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter (vector CS5) or the HSV latency-associated promoter (vector CS1). CS5 transfected many cells near the lesion at 2 days, but did not give persistent expression at 5 days. CS1, in contrast, labeled many neurons in midbrain regions remote from the injection site at 5 days, and much of this expression remained at 12-14 days. The neurons of most interest were in the substantia nigra pars compacta and parabrachial nuclei, which were axotomized by the lesion. Vector-driven beta-galactosidase expression was detected in neurons in both regions. These were confirmed as axotomized by double immunofluorescence for c-Jun. By 12-14 days, many substantia nigra neurons had disappeared but some transduced neurons remained; there was no net loss of transduced neurons from the parabrachial nuclei. These results show that an HSV vector is capable of transducing axotomized cells in the central nervous system and producing transgene expression in them for at least 2 weeks after injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Rogers
- Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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16
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Muir EM, Adcock KH, Morgenstern DA, Clayton R, von Stillfried N, Rhodes K, Ellis C, Fawcett JW, Rogers JH. Matrix metalloproteases and their inhibitors are produced by overlapping populations of activated astrocytes. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2002; 100:103-17. [PMID: 12008026 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(02)00132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) are involved in many cell migration phenomena and produced by many cell types, including neurons and glia. To assess their possible roles in brain injury and regeneration, we investigate their production by glial cells, after brain injury and in tissue culture, and we investigate whether they are capable of digesting known axon-inhibitory proteoglycans. To determine the action of MMPs, we incubated astrocyte conditioned medium with activated MMPs, then did western blots for several chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans. MMP-3 digested all five proteoglycans tested, whereas MMP-2 digested only two and MMP-9 none. To determine whether MMPs or TIMPs are produced by astrocytes in vitro, we tested both primary cultures and astrocyte cell lines by western blotting, and compared them with Schwann cells. All cultures produced at least some MMPs and TIMPs, with no obvious correlation with the ability of axons to grow on those cells. Both MMP-9 and TIMP-3 were regulated by various cytokines. To determine which cells produce MMPs and TIMPs after brain injury, we made lesions of adult rat cortex, and did immunohistochemistry. MMP-2 was seen to be induced in activated astrocytes through the whole thickness of the cortex but not deeper, but MMP-3 was not seen in the injured brain. TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 immunoreactivities were induced in activated astrocytes in deep cortex and the underlying white matter. In situ hybridisation confirmed induction of TIMP-2 in glia as well as neurons, but showed no expression of TIMP-4. These results show that both MMPs and TIMPs are produced by some astrocytes, but TIMP production is particularly strong, especially in deep cortex and white matter which is more inhibitory for axon regeneration. Conversely the MMPs produced may not be adequate to promote migration of cells and axons within the glial scar.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Muir
- Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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17
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Abstract
Manipulating the expression of a protein can provide a powerful tool for understanding its function, provided that the protein is expressed at physiologically-significant concentrations. We have developed a simple method to measure (1) the concentration of an overexpressed protein in single cells and (2) the covariation of particular physiological properties with a protein's expression. As an example of how this method can be used, teratocarcinoma cells were transfected with the neuron-specific calcium binding protein calretinin (CR) tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP). By measuring GFP fluorescence in microcapillaries, we created a standard curve for GFP fluorescence that permitted quantification of CR concentrations in individual cells. Fura-2 measurements in the same cells showed a strong positive correlation between CR-GFP fusion protein expression levels and calcium clearance capacity. This method should allow reliable quantitative analysis of GFP fusion protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Hack
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA
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18
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Rogers JH, Ciossek T, Ullrich A, West E, Hoare M, Muir EM. Distribution of the receptor EphA7 and its ligands in development of the mouse nervous system. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 1999; 74:225-30. [PMID: 10640695 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(99)00284-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
EphA7 is a receptor tyrosine kinase of the Eph family. We have mapped EphA7 immunoreactivity and ligand binding in mouse embryo heads and developing brain. Immunoreactivity for the full-length receptor is found in all the cell populations that express EphA7 mRNA. In particular, it is located on growing axons from EphA7-expressing neurons, both in the trigeminal nerve and in developing brain. In many cases it persists in terminal fields in adult brain. Ligand is detected in a largely complementary distribution in embryos, but is surprisingly weak or undetectable in the target regions of many EphA7-positive axons postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Rogers
- Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge, UK.
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19
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Abstract
Astrocytes exclude Schwann cells (SCs) from the central nervous system (CNS) at peripheral nerve entry zones and restrict their migration after transplantation into the CNS. We have modeled the interactions between SCs, astrocytes, and fibroblasts in vitro. Astrocytes and SCs in vitro form separate territories, with sharp boundaries between them. SCs migrate poorly when placed on astrocyte monolayers, but migrate well on various other surfaces such as laminin (LN) and skin fibroblasts. Interactions between individual SCs and astrocytes result in long-lasting adhesive contacts during which the SC is unable to migrate away from the astrocyte. In contrast, SC interactions with fibroblasts are much shorter with less arrest of migration. SCs adhere strongly to astrocytes and other SCs, but less well to substrates that promote migration, such as LN and fibroblasts. SC-astrocyte and SC-SC adhesion is mediated by the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin. Inhibition of N-cadherin function by calcium withdrawal, peptides containing the classical cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence His-Ala-Val, or antibodies directed against this sequence inhibit SC adhesion and increase SC migration on astrocytes. We suggest that N-cadherin-mediated adhesion to astrocytes inhibits the widespread migration of SCs in CNS tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Wilby
- Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
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20
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Wilby MJ, Sinclair SR, Muir EM, Zietlow R, Adcock KH, Horellou P, Rogers JH, Dunnett SB, Fawcett JW. A glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-secreting clone of the Schwann cell line SCTM41 enhances survival and fiber outgrowth from embryonic nigral neurons grafted to the striatum and to the lesioned substantia nigra. J Neurosci 1999; 19:2301-12. [PMID: 10066280 PMCID: PMC6782537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a novel Schwann cell line, SCTM41, derived from postnatal sciatic nerve cultures and have stably transfected a clone with a rat glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) construct. Coculture with this GDNF-secreting clone enhances in vitro survival and fiber growth of embryonic dopaminergic neurons. In the rat unilateral 6-OHDA lesion model of Parkinson's disease, we have therefore made cografts of these cells with embryonic day 14 ventral mesencephalic grafts and assayed for effects on dopaminergic cell survival and process outgrowth. We show that cografts of GDNF-secreting Schwann cell lines improve the survival of intrastriatal embryonic dopaminergic neuronal grafts and improve neurite outgrowth into the host neuropil but have no additional effect on amphetamine-induced rotation. We next looked to see whether bridge grafts of GDNF-secreting SCTM41 cells would promote the growth of axons to their striatal targets from dopaminergic neurons implanted orthotopically into the 6-OHDA-lesioned substantia nigra. We show that such bridge grafts increase the survival of implanted embryonic dopaminergic neurons and promote the growth of axons through the grafts to the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Wilby
- Medical Research Council, Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, The E. D. Adrian Building, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2PY, United Kingdom
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21
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Brecknell JE, Haque NS, Du JS, Muir EM, Fidler PS, Hlavin ML, Fawcett JW, Dunnett SB. Functional and anatomical reconstruction of the 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned nigrostriatal system of the adult rat. Neuroscience 1996; 71:913-25. [PMID: 8684622 DOI: 10.1016/0306-4522(95)00509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to reconstruct the 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned nigrostriatal system of the adult rat we have combined homotopic grafting of embryonic ventral mesencephalon suspensions with the implantation of long oblique "bridge" grafts of fibroblast growth factor-4-transfected RN-22 schwannoma cells stretching from the site of the neuronal grafts to the striatum. At seven weeks after receiving both grafts, animals were killed and processed for immunohistochemistry against tyrosine hydroxylase. Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons were seen to extend from the nigral grafts, along the bridge graft to the striatum where terminal arborizations could be seen. The retrograde tracer Fluoro-gold was injected intrastriatally in some of the experimental animals and was taken up by grafted neurons confirming their projection to the striatum. In parallel to the anatomical reconstruction of the system, a decrease in amphetamine-induced rotation was demonstrated in those animals receiving both grafts which had received > 98% complete lesions. This decrease was greatest in those animals with the most tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons in their bridge grafts. The presence of the bridge graft also led to an increase in neuronal graft survival with twice as many tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons being found in the grafts of those animals that had received both grafts compared to those that had received a neuronal graft but no bridge graft.
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22
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Neophytou PI, Roep BO, Arden SD, Muir EM, Duinkerken G, Kallan A, de Vries RR, Hutton JC. T-cell epitope analysis using subtracted expression libraries (TEASEL): application to a 38-kDA autoantigen recognized by T cells from an insulin-dependent diabetic patient. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1996; 93:2014-8. [PMID: 8700877 PMCID: PMC39901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.5.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on circulating T cells and antibodies in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients and rodent models of autoimmune diabetes suggest that beta-cell membrane proteins of 38 kDa may be important molecular targets of autoimmune attack. Biochemical approaches to the isolation and identification of the 38-kDa autoantigen have been hampered by the restricted availability of islet tissue and the low abundance of the protein. A procedure of epitope analysis for CD4+ T cells using subtracted expression libraries (TEASEL) was developed and used to clone a 70-amino acid pancreatic beta-cell peptide incorporating an epitope recognized by a 38-kDa-reactive CD4+ T-cell clone (1C6) isolated from a human diabetic patient. The minimal epitope was mapped to a 10-amino acid synthetic peptide containing a DR1 consensus binding motif. Data base searches did not reveal the identity of the protein, though a weak homology to the bacterial superantigens SEA (Streptococcus pyogenes exotoxin A) and SEB (Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B) (23% identity) was evident. The TEASEL procedure might be used to identify epitopes of other autoantigens recognized by CD4+ T cells in diabetes as well as be more generally applicable to the study low-abundance autoantigens in other tissue-specific autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Neophytou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, United Kingdom
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23
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Abstract
A polymerase chain reaction-based subtractive hybridization procedure was applied to cDNAs prepared from mouse insulinoma (beta TC3) and glucagonoma (alpha TC2) cell lines to construct a library of cDNAs that are highly expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. An analysis of 555 randomly chosen clones in the library showed that 80 were derived from abundant mRNAs and were accounted for by 29 distinct sequences. Of these, 17 were identical or homologous to known mammalian cDNAs or expressed sequence tags. Genes known to be highly expressed in beta-cells were represented at a high frequency, namely insulin (15 of 80 clones), islet amyloid polypeptide (8 of 80 clones), proinsulin convertase 1 (6 of 80 clones), and neuropeptide Y (2 of 80 clones). Many of the novel cDNA sequences that were highly represented in the library showed a relative specificity to beta-cells compared with other tissues, including glucagonoma, liver, kidney, brain, 3T3 fibroblasts, and AtT20 corticotrophs, and warrant further investigation. When combined with functional or immunological screening procedures, the approach will be useful for the isolation of beta-cell-specific molecules for immunological and genetic investigations of beta-cell function and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Neophytou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, U.K
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24
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Abstract
Calbindin D28K (formerly known as vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein and referred to here as calbindin) is found in a wide variety of tissues, but only in certain cells within those tissues. Apart from its ability to bind calcium, nothing is known about its function in these cells. To investigate its role we have transfected the chick calbindin cDNA into mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts and established a new cell line where calbindin is permanently expressed. Immunofluorescence studies show that calbindin is distributed throughout the cytoplasm, and treatment of the cells with cycloheximide shows that it has a relatively long half-life within the cell. Measurements of intracellular calcium concentration using Fura-2 suggest that the presence of calbindin within the cells does not affect the increase in intracellular calcium levels which occurs in response to serum stimulation or the rate at which these return to the basal level, but that it may act as a buffer for the entry of extracellular calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Muir
- AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Babraham, Cambridge, UK
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25
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Muir EM, Bowyer DE. Inhibition of pinocytosis and induction of release of lysosomal contents by lysosomal overload of arterial smooth muscle cells in vitro. Atherosclerosis 1984; 50:85-92. [PMID: 6696784 DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(84)90010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomal overload was induced experimentally in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells by incubation with chloroquine or sucrose. Lysosomal overload was accompanied by a marked reduction in pinocytosis and induced the release of lysosomal contents into the medium. Thus, previously accumulated pinocytic tracer and beta-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme, were released into the medium whereas lactate dehydrogenase, a cytosolic enzyme, was not.
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Muir EM, Bowyer DE. Dependence of fluid-phase pinocytosis in arterial smooth-muscle cells on temperature, cellular ATP concentration and the cytoskeletal system. Biochem J 1983; 216:467-73. [PMID: 6661208 PMCID: PMC1152525 DOI: 10.1042/bj2160467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
125I-labelled poly(vinylpyrrolidone) was used as a marker of fluid-phase pinocytosis in cultured pig arterial smooth-muscle cells. The rate of pinocytosis was temperature-dependent. A decrease in cellular ATP concentrations as a result of inhibition of either glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation was associated with a similar decrease in pinocytosis. A microfibrillar-disruptive agent, cytochalasin B, caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of pinocytosis, whereas the microtubular-disruptive agents colchicine and vinblastine decreased pinocytosis to approximately half of control values at all concentrations used. These results indicate that fluid-phase pinocytosis in smooth-muscle cells is dependent on a continuing supply of energy and the integrity of the microtubules. Furthermore, microfilaments appear to exert a certain degree of constraint on pinocytosis, possibly by restricting invagination of the plasma membrane.
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