IKVAV-linked cell membrane-spanning peptide treatment induces neuronal reactivation following spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord regeneration following treatment with a novel membrane-spanning peptide (MSP) expressing the isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV) epitope was assessed in Balb-c mice. After hemilaminectomy and compression injury, mice were treated with IKVAV, IKVAV-MSP, peptide or vehicle control. Functional improvement was assessed using modified Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Scale (mBBB) and spinal cord segments were studied histologically 28 days after injury. IKVAV-MSP group scores increased significantly compared with control groups after 4 weeks of observation (p < 0.05). The number of protoplasmic astrocytes, neurons and muscle bundle size in the IKVAV-MSP mice were significantly increased (p < 0.001; p < 0.05 and p < 0.007; respectively). This study demonstrates that it is possible to promote functional recovery after SCI using bioactive IKVAV presenting cell membrane-spanning peptides.

The Involvement of CaV1.3 Channels in Prolonged Root Reflexes and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Target in Spinal Cord Injury

“…q.d.) was administered once daily for the first 2 days, and additional doses were administered whenever mice showed signs of discomfort such as decreased activity and movement, self-chewing, excessive grooming, or anorexia ( Jellish et al, 2008 ; Kazemi et al, 2015 ). Gentamycin (20 mg/kg s.c., q.d.…”

Application of“Spinal cord fusion” in spinal cord injury repair and its neurological mechanism

“…Controlled application of fusogens initiates axon growth approximately one week after treatment; such growth becomes more stable over time and is long-term [ 32 ]. Various molecular reagents, such as chitosan nanospheres [ 33 ], PEG-biopolymer matrix [ 29 , 34 , 35 ], IKVAV transmembrane-spanning peptide [ 36 ], and olfactory mucosa autografts [ 37 ] have been utilised as scaffolds in chronic SCI models to facilitate neuronal regrowth across gaps in the transected spinal cords. In contrast, PEG serves as a genuine fusogen by stabilising the membranes of transected neurones at the site of spinal cord transection, leading to the fusion of these transected axons with neighbouring axons across the transection site.…”

Is it time to perform the first human head transplant? Comment on the CSA (cephalosomatic anastomosis) paper by Ren, Canavero, and colleagues

“…Numerous molecular agents have been tested in different models of acute and chronic spinal cord injury. They include Chitosan nanospheres,[ 8 ] PEG-polyethylene glycol biopolymer matrix,[ 3 5 9 12 15 16 20 ] IKVAV membrane spanning peptide,[ 12 ] and olfactory mucosa autograft. [ 11 ] All were used in different chronic cord injury models, and neuronal growth occurred with all.…”