Author: Cui, Qi

Source: Molecular Neurobiology, Volume 33, Number 2, April 2006 , pp. 155-179(25)

Publisher: Humana Press

Abstract:

Adult axons in the mammalian central nervous system do not elicit spontaneous regeneration after injury, although many affected neurons have survived the neurotrauma. However, axonal regeneration does occur under certain conditions. These conditions include: (a) modification of regrowth environment, such as supply of peripheral nerve bridges and transplantation of Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing glia to the injury site; (b) application of neurotrophic factors at the cell soma and axon tips; (c) blockade of growth-inhibitory molecules such as Nogo-A, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein; (d) prevention of chondroitin-sulfate-proteoglycans-related scar tissue formation at the injury site using chondroitinase ABC; and (e) elevation of intrinsic growth potential of injured neurons via increasing intra-cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate level. A large body of evidence suggests that these conditions achieve enhanced neuronal survival and axonal regeneration through sometimes over-lapping and sometimes distinct signal transduction mechanisms, depending on the targeted neuronal populations and intervention circumstances. This article reviews the available information on signal transduction pathways underlying neurotrophic-factor-mediated neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth/axonal regeneration. Better understanding of signaling transduction is important in helping us develop practical therapeutic approaches for encouraging neuronal survival and axonal regeneration after traumatic injury in clinical context.

Keywords: Neurotrophic factor; neuronal survival; axonal regeneration; signal transduction pathway; central nervous system

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/MN:33:2:155

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory for Neural Repair, Shantou University Medical College, 515031, Shantou, China, Email: qcui@cuhk.edu.hk

Publication date: 2006-04-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Zoology
• By this author: Cui, Qi

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers