Astrocytes as support for axonal regeneration in the central nervous system of mammals

• Published in: Glia Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 91 - 93
• Main Author: Privat, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-07-2003
• Subjects: Animals; astrocytes; Astrocytes - cytology; Astrocytes - physiology; GFAP; glial; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - deficiency; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - genetics; Gliosis - genetics; Gliosis - physiopathology; Gliosis - prevention & control; Growth Cones - physiology; Growth Cones - ultrastructure; Humans; Mice; Mice, Knockout - genetics; Mice, Knockout - growth & development; Mice, Knockout - metabolism; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neural Pathways - cytology; Neural Pathways - growth & development; Recovery of Function - genetics; Vimentin - deficiency; Vimentin - genetics
• ISSN: 0894-1491; 1098-1136
• DOI: 10.1002/glia.10249

Reactive astrocytes are one of the main impediments for axonal regeneration in the central nervous system of mammals. Using mice KO for GFAP and vimentin, we show that reinnervation occurs after an hemisection of the spinal cord, mainly through sprouting of controlateral intact serotoninergic and cortico‐spinal axons, thanks to the absence of glial reactivity. This reinnervation is paralleled by the restoration of impaired locomotion of the ipselateral hindleg. Future applications to spinal cord injured patients are discussed. GLIA 43:91–93, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.