Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays
Published on: January 13, 2011
Systematic analysis of purified astrocytes after SCI unveils Zeb2os function during astrogliosis
Haichao Wei1, Xizi Wu1, Yanan You1
1The Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating neural injuries without effective therapeutic solutions. Astrocytes are the predominant component of the scar. Understanding the complex contributions of reactive astrocytes to SCI pathophysiologies is fundamentally important for developing therapeutic strategies. We have studied the molecular changes in the injury environment and the astrocyte-specific responses by astrocyte purification from injured spinal cords from acute to chronic stages. In addition to protein-coding genes, we have systematically analyzed the expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) (>200 bp), which are regulatory RNAs that play important roles in the CNS. We have identified a highly conserved lncRNA, Zeb2os, and demonstrated using functional assays that it plays an important role in reactive astrogliosis through the Zeb2os/Zeb2/Stat3 axis. These studies provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of reactive astrogliosis and fill the knowledge gap regarding the function(s) of lncRNAs in astrogliosis and SCI.
More Related Videos
08:52Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Aligned Astrocyte Networks to Recapitulate Developmental Mechanisms and Facilitate Nervous System Regeneration
Published on: January 10, 2018
15:08Monitoring Astrocyte Reactivity and Proliferation in Vitro Under Ischemic-Like Conditions
Published on: October 21, 2017