MMP-2 is involved in synaptic remodeling after cochlear lesion

• Published in: Neuroreport Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 324 - 327
• Main Authors: Fredrich, Michaela, Illing, Robert-Benjamin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc 31-03-2010
• Subjects: Animals; Astrocytes - physiology; Axons - physiology; Cochlea - injuries; Cochlea - physiopathology; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; GAP-43 Protein - metabolism; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 - metabolism; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neurons - physiology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Synapses - physiology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0959-4965; 1473-558X
• DOI: 10.1097/WNR.0b013e328335b518

Lesion-induced neuroplasticity, including fiber degeneration, axonal growth, and synaptogenesis, involves dynamical changes of the extracellular matrix. We discovered that the matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2), a major actor in extracellular matrix recomposition, is changed in distribution and increased in amount in the ventral cochlear nucleus after unilateral cochlear ablation. There was a remarkable coincidence of MMP-2 accumulation and GAP-43 expression in time and space. We obtained evidence indicating that MMP-2 is delivered to regions of emerging GAP-43 positive synaptic endings by postsynaptic neurons as well as by adjoining astrocytes. These results indicate a major role of MMP-2 in lesion-induced remodeling of central auditory networks and suggest a cooperativity with GAP-43-directed axonal outgrowth and synaptogenesis.