Overexpression of Sox11 Promotes Corticospinal Tract Regeneration after Spinal Injury While Interfering with Functional Recovery

Authors

Zimei Wang, Marquette UniversityFollow
Ashley Reynolds, Marquette University
Adam Kirry, Marquette University
Christopher Nienhaus, Marquette University
Murray G. Blackmore, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

7 p.

Publication Date

2-18-2015

Publisher

Society for Neuroscience

Source Publication

Journal of Neuroscience

Source ISSN

1529-2401

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2832-14.2015

Abstract

Embryonic neurons, peripheral neurons, and CNS neurons in zebrafish respond to axon injury by initiating pro-regenerative transcriptional programs that enable axons to extend, locate appropriate targets, and ultimately contribute to behavioral recovery. In contrast, many long-distance projection neurons in the adult mammalian CNS, notably corticospinal tract (CST) neurons, display a much lower regenerative capacity. To promote CNS repair, a long-standing goal has been to activate pro-regenerative mechanisms that are normally missing from injured CNS neurons. Sox11 is a transcription factor whose expression is common to a many types of regenerating neurons, but it is unknown whether suboptimal Sox11 expression contributes to low regenerative capacity in the adult mammalian CNS. Here we show in adult mice that dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGs) and CST neurons fail to upregulate Sox11 after spinal axon injury. Furthermore, forced viral expression of Sox11 reduces axonal dieback of DRG axons, and promotes CST sprouting and regenerative axon growth in both acute and chronic injury paradigms. In tests of forelimb dexterity, however, Sox11 overexpression in the cortex caused a modest but consistent behavioral impairment. These data identify Sox11 as a key transcription factor that can confer an elevated innate regenerative capacity to CNS neurons. The results also demonstrate an unexpected dissociation between axon growth and behavioral outcome, highlighting the need for additional strategies to optimize the functional output of stimulated neurons.

Comments

Published version. Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 35, No. 7 (February 18, 2015): 3139-3145. DOI. © 2015 Society for Neuroscience. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Wang, Zimei; Reynolds, Ashley; Kirry, Adam; Nienhaus, Christopher; and Blackmore, Murray G., "Overexpression of Sox11 Promotes Corticospinal Tract Regeneration after Spinal Injury While Interfering with Functional Recovery" (2015). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 168.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/biomedsci_fac/168