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Regulating Schwann Cell Growth by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration In Vitro

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Reactive glial cells: increased stiffness correlates with increased intermediate filament expression.

Yun-Bi Lu¹, Ianors Iandiev, Margrit Hollborn

¹Division of Soft Matter Physics, Department of Physics, and Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

|October 27, 2010

Summary

Reactive glial cells stiffen due to intermediate filaments (IFs), hindering central nervous system regeneration. Suppressing IFs in reactive glia may improve nerve repair.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Reactive glial cells contribute to the mammalian central nervous system's poor regenerative capacity.
Increased glial cell stiffness impedes neurite growth and nerve regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of intermediate filaments (IFs) in the mechanical properties of reactive glial cells.
To determine if IFs contribute to glial cell stiffening following injury.

Main Methods:

Induction of reactive gliosis in rodent retina via ischemia-reperfusion.
Assessment of intermediate filament (IF) expression and viscoelastic properties in wild-type mice, GFAP(-/-)Vim(-/-) mice (lacking IFs), and rats.
Measurement of cell stiffness (elastic modulus) and correlation with IF density.

Main Results:

Glial cells significantly stiffened in wild-type mice and rats after ischemia-reperfusion.
Glial cell stiffness remained unchanged in GFAP(-/-)Vim(-/-) mice lacking IFs.
Cell stiffness strongly correlated with the density of IFs within reactive glial cells.

Conclusions:

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are key determinants of viscoelasticity in reactive glia.
The stiffening of glial cells, mediated by IFs, likely contributes to glial scar formation and impaired nerve regeneration.
Therapeutic strategies targeting IF up-regulation in reactive glia may promote neuroregeneration.