Abstract
Rubrospinal neurons (RSNs) undergo marked atrophy after cervical axotomy. This progressive atrophy may impair the regenerative capacity of RSNs in response to repair strategies that are targeted to promote rubrospinal tract regeneration. Here, we investigated whether we could achieve long-term rescue of RSNs from lesion-induced atrophy by adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector-mediated gene transfer of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We show for the first time that AAV vectors can be used for the persistent transduction of highly atrophic neurons in the red nucleus (RN) for up to 18 months after injury. Furthermore, BDNF gene transfer into the RN following spinal axotomy resulted in counteraction of atrophy in both the acute and chronic stage after injury. These novel findings demonstrate that a gene therapeutic approach can be used to reverse atrophy of lesioned CNS neurons for an extended period of time.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 394-406 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Neurobiology of Disease |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2004 |
Keywords
- Acute Disease
- Animals
- Atrophy
- Axotomy
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
- Chronic Disease
- Dependovirus
- Disease Models, Animal
- Efferent Pathways
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Genetic Vectors
- Male
- Nerve Regeneration
- Neurons
- Rats
- Reaction Time
- Receptor, trkB
- Red Nucleus
- Retrograde Degeneration
- Spinal Cord
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't