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Optogenetically enhanced axon regeneration: motor versus sensory neuron-specific stimulation
Patricia J Ward1, Scott L Clanton1, Arthur W English1
1Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Room 425, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|January 25, 2018
Summary
Activating specific neurons with light enhances axon regeneration in peripheral nerves. This targeted neuronal activation benefits both motor and sensory axon repair, suggesting a cell-autonomous mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Peripheral Nerve Injury
Background:
- Neuronal activation enhances motor axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.
- The role of neuronal activation in sensory axon regeneration remains unclear.
- The contribution of spinal circuitry to activity-dependent regeneration is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sensory neurons regenerate similarly to motor neurons following activation.
- To determine the cell-autonomous effects of neuronal activation on axon regeneration.
- To evaluate the precision of system-specific neuronal activation using optical tools.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse genetics and optical tools to selectively activate sensory or motor axons.
- Employed channelrhodopsin (ChR2) expression for light-sensitive neuronal activation.
- Assessed sensory and motor axon regeneration after sciatic nerve transection and repair.
Main Results:
- System-specific optical activation significantly increased the number of regenerated axons in ChR2-positive neurons.
- This enhancement was observed for both motor and sensory neurons.
- No significant effect on ChR2-negative neurons, indicating specificity.
Conclusions:
- Acute, system-specific neuronal activation is sufficient to enhance both motor and sensory axon regeneration.
- The observed regeneration-enhancing effect appears to be cell autonomous.
- Targeted neuronal activation offers a potential strategy for improving peripheral nerve repair.
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