3D Anatomical Reconstruction of Labeled Cells in Spinal Cord

Title:

Reactive Astrocytes Protect Tissue and Preserve Function after Spinal Cord Injury

Researchers:

Jill Faulkner, Julia Herrmman, Michael Woo, Keith Tansey, Ngan Doan and Michael Sofroniew

Method:

Reactive astrocytes were selectively ablated using transgenic techniques. The effect of this deletion on the cellular response to spinal cord injury was assessed. Lesion volume and reconstruction was accomplished using Neurolucida software. The number of newly produced astrocytes during recovery from injury was estimated using Stereo Investigator software.

Results:

Following stab or crush injury, mice lacking a normal pool of reactive astrocyctes exhibited widespread demyelination, cellular degeneration and breakdown of the blood brain barrier. This resulted in a large increase in infiltration of immune cells into the lesion region, creating a larger lesion volume than in control animals and failure of functional recovery. Taken together, these results point to a critical role of reactive astrocytes in tissue repair and functional recovery following spinal cord injury.

Reference:

Faulkner JR, Herrman JE, Woo MJ, Tansey KE, Doan NB, Sofroniew MV (2004) Reactive astrocytes protect tissue and preserve function after spinal cord injury. J. Neurosci. 24(9): 2143.