Use of polysialic acid in repair of the central nervous system Journal Article


Authors: El-Maarouf, A. ; Petridis, A. K.; Rutishauser, U.
Article Title: Use of polysialic acid in repair of the central nervous system
Abstract: Polysialic acid (PSA), a large cell-surface carbohydrate that regulates cell interactions, is used during vertebrate development to promote precursor cell migration and axon path-finding. The induction of PSA expression in damaged adult CNS tissues could help them to rebuild by creating conditions permissive for architectural remodeling. This possibility has been explored in two contexts, the regeneration of axons and the recruitment of endogenous neural precursors to a lesion. Glial scars that form at CNS injury sites block axon regeneration. It has been found that transfection of scar astrocytes by a viral vector encoding polysialyltransferase leads to sustained expression of high levels of PSA. With this treatment, a substantial portion of severed corticospinal tract axon processes were able to grow through a spinal injury site. In the studies of precursor cell migration to a cortical lesion, it was found that induced PSA expression in a path extending from the subventricular zone to a lesion near the cortical surface increased recruitment of BrdU/nestin-positive cells along the path and into the injury site. These displaced precursors were able to differentiate in a regionally appropriate manner. These findings suggest that induced PSA expression can be used as a strategy for promoting tissue repair involving both replacement of cells and rebuilding of neural connections. © 2006 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
Keywords: controlled study; protein expression; nonhuman; animal cell; mouse; animals; mice; animal experiment; animal model; astrocyte; brain injuries; transfection; central nervous system; mice, transgenic; vertebrata; genetic transfection; nerve fiber; recombinant proteins; polysialic acid; nerve cell plasticity; sialyltransferases; cell migration; cell movement; stem cells; nestin; nerve regeneration; axons; tissue repair; sialic acids; astrocytes; broxuridine; plasticity; brain damage; pyramidal tract; spine injury; nerve fiber regeneration; axon regeneration; brain lesions; progenitor migration
Journal Title: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume: 103
Issue: 45
ISSN: 0027-8424
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences  
Date Published: 2006-11-07
Start Page: 16989
End Page: 16994
Language: English
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0608036103
PUBMED: 17075041
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC1636566
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 51" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: PNASA" - "Source: Scopus"
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