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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Electromagnetic Controlled Closed-Head Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice
Published on: September 28, 2022
Microwave & Magnetic (M2) Proteomics of a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Teresa M Evans1, Holly Van Remmen2, Anjali Purkar3
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
Short-term increases in oxidative stress and decreases in motor function, including debilitating effects on balance and motor control, can occur following primary mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). However, the long-term effects on motor unit impairment and integrity as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying secondary injuries are poorly understood. We hypothesized that changes in central nervous system-specific protein (CSP) expression might correlate to these long-term effects. To test our hypothesis, we longitudinally assessed a closed-skull mTBI mouse model, vs. sham control, at 1, 7, 30, and 120 days post-injury. Motor impairment was determined by rotarod and grip strength performance measures, while motor unit integrity was determined using electromyography. Relative protein expression was determined by microwave & magnetic (M2) proteomics of ipsilateral brain tissue, as previously described. Isoprostane measurements were performed to confirm a primary oxidative stress response. Decoding the relative expression of 476 ± 56 top-ranked proteins for each specimen revealed statistically significant changes in the expression of two well-known CSPs at 1, 7 and 30 days post-injury: P < 0.001 for myelin basic protein (MBP) and P < 0.05 for myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG). This was confirmed by Western blot. Moreover, MAG, αII-spectrin (SPNA2) and neurofilament light (NEFL) expression at 30 days post-injury were directly related to grip strength (P < 0.05). While higher-powered studies of larger cohorts merit further investigation, this study supports the proof-of-concept that M2 proteomics is a rapid method to quantify putative protein biomarkers and therapeutic targets of mTBI and suggests the feasibility of CSP expression correlations to long-term effects on motor impairment.
Insights
Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) can cause long-term motor deficits. This study used M2 proteomics to identify central nervous system-specific proteins (CSPs) like MBP and MAG that correlate with motor impairment after mTBI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Proteomics
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can lead to short-term oxidative stress and motor function deficits.
- Long-term consequences on motor unit integrity and the molecular mechanisms of secondary injury following mTBI remain poorly understood.
- Central nervous system-specific protein (CSP) expression changes may correlate with these long-term effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of mTBI on motor unit integrity and identify potential protein biomarkers.
- To test the hypothesis that CSP expression changes correlate with long-term motor impairment after mTBI.
- To evaluate the utility of M2 proteomics for identifying mTBI-related protein changes.
Main Methods:
- A closed-skull mTBI mouse model was used, with assessments at 1, 7, 30, and 120 days post-injury.
- Motor function was assessed using rotarod and grip strength tests.
- Motor unit integrity was evaluated via electromyography, and protein expression was quantified using M2 proteomics and confirmed with Western blot.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant changes in myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) expression were observed at 1, 7, and 30 days post-injury (P < 0.001 for MBP, P < 0.05 for MAG).
- Expression levels of MAG, αII-spectrin (SPNA2), and neurofilament light (NEFL) at 30 days post-injury directly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05).
- Isoprostane measurements confirmed an initial oxidative stress response.
Conclusions:
- M2 proteomics offers a rapid method for quantifying potential protein biomarkers and therapeutic targets for mTBI.
- CSP expression changes, particularly MBP and MAG, are associated with long-term motor impairment following mTBI.
- Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate these findings and explore therapeutic potential.
