Behavioral Improvement and Regulation of Molecules Related to Neuroplasticity in Ischemic Rat Spinal Cord Treated with PEDF

Author(s)

Batista, Chary Marquez ; Torres Bianqui, Leonardo Luis ; Zanon, Bruno Bonganha ; Aben Athar Ivo, Mauricio Menezes ; de Oliveira, Gabriela Pintar ; Maximino, Jessica Ruivo ; Chadi, Gerson

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEURAL PLASTICITY; v. 2014, p. 16-pg., 2014-01-01.

Abstract

Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) exerts trophic actions to motoneurons and modulates nonneuronal restorative events, but its effects on neuroplasticity responses after spinal cord (SC) injury are unknown. Rats received a low thoracic SC photothrombotic ischemia and local injection of PEDF and were evaluated behaviorally six weeks later. PEDF actions were detailed in SC ventral horn (motor) in the levels of the lumbar central pattern generator (CPG), far from the injury site. Molecules related to neuroplasticity (MAP-2), those that are able to modulate such event, for instance, neurotrophic factors (NT-3, GDNF, BDNF, and FGF-2), chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG), and those associated with angiogenesis and antiapoptosis (laminin and Bcl-2) and Eph (receptor)/ephrin system were evaluated at cellular or molecular levels. PEDF injection improved motor behavioral performance and increased MAP-2 levels and dendritic processes in the region of lumbar CPG. Treatment also elevated GDNF and decreased NT-3, laminin, and CSPG. Injury elevated EphA4 and ephrin-B1 levels, and PEDF treatment increased ephrin A2 and ephrins B1, B2, and B3. Eph receptors and ephrins were found in specific populations of neurons and astrocytes. PEDF treatment to SC injury triggered neuroplasticity in lumbar CPG and regulation of neurotrophic factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and ephrins. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/14018-3 - Analysis of neuroplasticity mechanisms in the rat spianl cord lumbar level submitted to ischemic lesion and treated with local injection of PEDF
• Grantee: Gerson Chadi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants