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Integrity of cortical perineuronal nets influences corticospinal tract plasticity after spinal cord injury

C Orlando1, O Raineteau

  • 1Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich/ETH, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland, orlando@hifo.uzh.ch.

Brain Structure & Function
|February 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Spinal cord injury alters brain networks, affecting motor neurons and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) in perineuronal nets (PNNs). These PNN changes are crucial for motor recovery after injury.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Extracellular Matrix Biology
  • Spinal Cord Injury Research

Background:

  • Injury-induced neuronal plasticity declines postnatally, coinciding with increased chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) forming perineuronal nets (PNNs) around specific neurons.
  • PNNs ensheath parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons, influencing neuronal function and plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between PNN CSPG integrity, corticospinal tract (CST) remodeling, and motor recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult mice.
  • To understand the role of PNNs in the sensorimotor cortex after thoracic SCI.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse model of thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI).
  • Analyzed changes in GABAergic interneurons and parvalbumin expression in the sensorimotor cortex.
  • Assessed PNN CSPG glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain integrity.
  • Administered intracortical chondroitinase ABC to digest CSPG GAG chains.

Main Results:

  • Thoracic SCI led to GABAergic interneuron atrophy and reduced parvalbumin expression in the hindlimb cortex.
  • Spontaneous alterations in PNN CSPG GAG chain integrity were observed at the sensorimotor cortex border.
  • Chondroitinase ABC treatment worsened motor deficits and decreased CST sprouting above the lesion.

Conclusions:

  • SCI induces changes in GABAergic markers and PNNs within reorganizing sensorimotor cortex regions.
  • These PNN modifications following SCI require precise regulation for beneficial functional outcomes.
  • PNN integrity plays a complex role in motor recovery and CST plasticity after SCI.

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