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PTEN expression in astrocytic processes after spinal cord injury
T V Povysheva1, Y O Mukhamedshina2, A A Rizvanov3
1Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia.
Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|February 19, 2018
Summary
Spinal cord injury disrupts synaptic stability by altering phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression in astrocytes. Targeting PTEN may restore synaptic function after injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Biology
- Neurotrauma Research
Background:
- The Rho/ROCK/PTEN signaling pathway's role in astrocyte-mediated synaptic regulation remains understudied.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts synaptic structure and function, necessitating research into underlying molecular mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in astrocytes within the ventral horns (VH) of the rat spinal cord.
- To evaluate changes in PTEN expression in relation to synaptic markers (synaptophysin, PSD95) under normal conditions and following spinal cord injury (SCI).
Main Methods:
- Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to analyze PTEN and GFAP expression in astrocytic processes.
- Western blotting was employed to quantify postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) levels.
- Analysis was performed on intact rats and at 30 days post-injury (dpi).
Main Results:
- Synaptophysin and PSD95 levels were significantly reduced in the VH at 30 dpi, indicating synaptic loss.
- PTEN expression was elevated in astrocytic processes near synapses (APAS) after SCI compared to intact rats.
- PTEN expression was consistently higher in APAS compared to astrocytic processes distant from synapses (APFS) in both intact and injured spinal cords.
Conclusions:
- SCI induces an imbalance in synaptic plasticity mechanisms, partly mediated by altered PTEN expression in astrocytes.
- Increased PTEN in astrocytic processes associated with synapses suggests a role in synaptic destabilization post-injury.
- PTEN gene modulation strategies show promise for therapeutic interventions in spinal cord injury.
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