How Activated Microglia Inhibit Axonal Growth in Spinal Cord Injuries
Author Information
Author(s): Kitayama Mari, Ueno Masaki, Itakura Toru, Yamashita Toshihide
Primary Institution: Osaka University
Hypothesis
Activated microglia inhibit axonal growth through the repulsive guidance molecule a (RGMa).
Conclusion
Activated microglia play a major role in inhibiting axon regeneration via RGMa in the injured central nervous system.
Supporting Evidence
- Microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide inhibited neurite outgrowth in vitro.
- Minocycline treatment reduced microglial activation and RGMa expression after spinal cord injury.
- RGMa expression increased in microglia after activation, correlating with inhibition of axonal growth.
Takeaway
When the spinal cord gets hurt, certain cells called microglia can stop nerve fibers from growing back. This study found that a special molecule called RGMa is involved in this process.
Methodology
The study involved in vitro co-culture assays with cortical neurons and activated microglia, as well as in vivo experiments using a mouse spinal cord injury model.
Potential Biases
The study may have bias due to the specific focus on activated microglia without considering the potential beneficial roles of other immune cells.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on the role of microglia and RGMa, potentially overlooking other factors involved in axonal regeneration.
Participant Demographics
C57BL/6J mice were used for the experiments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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