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Microtubule stabilization reduces scarring and causes axon regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Farida F Hellal, Andres A Hurtado, Jörg J Ruschel, Kevin C KC Flynn, Claudia J CJ Laskowski, Martina M Umlauf, Lukas C LC Kapitein, Dinara D Strikis, Vance V Lemmon, John J Bixby, Casper C CC Hoogenraad, and Frank F Bradke

Science 331(6019):928-31 (2011) PMID 21273450 PMCID PMC3330754

Hypertrophic scarring and poor intrinsic axon growth capacity constitute major obstacles for spinal cord repair. These processes are tightly regulated by microtubule dynamics. Here, moderate microtubule stabilization decreased scar formation after spinal cord injury in rodents through various cellular mechanisms, including dampening of transforming growth factor-β signaling. It prevented accumulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and rendered the lesion site permissive for axon regeneration of growth-competent sensory neurons. Microtubule stabilization also promoted growth of central nervous system axons of the Raphe-spinal tract and led to functional improvement. Thus, microtubule stabilization reduces fibrotic scarring and enhances the capacity of axons to grow.

DOI: 10.1126/science.1201148
Version: za2963e q8zac q8zb5 q8zc5 q8zd1 q8zea q8zf5 q8zg1
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