Objective Regeneration of corticospinal tract (CST) axons after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a key element in rebuilding neuronal connections to restore voluntary motor function. However, it remains challenging owing to limited effective interventions. This study adopted a modified transcranial optogenetic technique to stimulate CST axon regeneration into the injury site of completely transected SCI and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods A novel optogenetic light emitting diode (LED) device was used to stimulate the brain motor cortex in channelrhodopsin-2–yellow fluorescent protein (ChR2-YFP) transgenic mice to observe the regeneration of CST axons in the injury site of a complete SCI. The LED device was also used In vitro to stimulate the motor cortex slices of the transgenic mouse brain for observing the outgrowth of their neurites.
Results After transcranial optogenetic stimulation, the pyramidal neurons of bilateral cerebral motor cortices, in ChR2-YFP transgenic mice were activated, CST axons regenerated into the injury site of the spinal cord, and the motor function of the paralyzed hindlimbs improved. Proteomic analysis revealed that CST axon regeneration was associated with the activation of the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway in the cerebral motor cortices. In vitro LED blue light illumination enhanced the outgrowth of neurites from the brain slices of transgenic mice. Treatment with a JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor led to a significant attenuation of neurite outgrowth.
Conclusion The modified transcranial optogenetic technique stimulated bilateral motor cortices, in the brains of ChR2-YFP transgenic mice. It increased the excitability of pyramidal neurons in the motor cortices, and promoted CST axon regeneration by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, repairing complete SCI.
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Methods Sham, control, or GV-EA group adult female Sprague Dawley rats underwent a complete transection SCI protocol. SCI area RNA-seq investigated the DEGs of coding and noncoding RNAs 7 days post-SCI. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to classify DEGs functions, to explain a possible molecular mechanism. Immunofluorescence and BBB (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan) score were used to verify a GV-EA treatment effect following SCI.
Results GV-EA treatment could regulate the expression of 173 mRNA, 260 lncRNA, and 153 circRNA genes among these DEGs resulted by SCI. GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were most enriched in membrane, actin binding, and regulation of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. KEGG pathway analysis showed enriched pathways (e.g. , Toll-like receptors, MAPK, Hippo signaling). According to the ceRNA network, miR-144-3p played a regulatory role by interacting with lncRNA and circRNA. GV-EA also promoted the injured spinal cord neuron survival, axonal regeneration, and functional improvement of hind limb locomotion.
Conclusion Results of our RNA-seq suggest that post-SCI GV-EA may regulate characteristic changes in transcriptome gene expression, potential critical genes, and signaling pathways, providing clear directions for further investigation into the mechanism of GV-EA in subacute SCI treatment. Moreover, we found that GV-EA promotes neuronal survival, nerve fiber extension, and motor function recovery in subacute SCI.
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