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Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays
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Ascorbic Acid Promotes Functional Restoration after Spinal Cord Injury Partly by Epigenetic Modulation
Jin Young Hong1,2, Ganchimeg Davaa1,2, Hyunjin Yoo3
1Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea.
Cells
|May 30, 2020
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) alters DNA methylation in the brain. Ascorbic acid treatment improved axonal regeneration and functional recovery in rats after SCI by modulating these epigenetic changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epigenetics
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents significant challenges for axonal regeneration and functional recovery.
- DNA methylation is implicated in regulating regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) and neuronal growth post-SCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in neuronal DNA methylation status following SCI.
- To determine if ascorbic acid can enhance neuronal regeneration and functional restoration by modulating DNA methylation.
Main Methods:
- Assessed epigenetic marks (5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-methylcytosine) and Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) gene expression in the brain motor cortex after SCI.
- Administered ascorbic acid to SCI rats and evaluated its effects on epigenetic status, axonal sprouting, and locomotor function.
Main Results:
- SCI increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels and Tet gene family expression in the brain motor cortex.
- Ascorbic acid administration enhanced 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels, Tet gene expression, promoted axonal sprouting, and improved locomotor function recovery in SCI rats.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic status in the brain motor cortex is altered after SCI.
- Epigenetic modulation with ascorbic acid shows potential for promoting functional recovery following spinal cord injury.
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