Neuropathological and Motor Impairments after Incomplete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Pigs

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Animal Models

Background:

• Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans and animals causes lasting sensorimotor deficits.
• Existing animal models do not fully replicate human SCI neuropathology.
• Developing better preclinical models is crucial for advancing SCI therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a novel domestic pig model of cervical SCI.
• To establish a baseline for behavioral and histological outcomes following spinal cord hemisection.
• To provide a translational research platform for SCI therapies.

Main Methods:

• Domestic pigs underwent cervical spinal cord hemisection with 1 cm excision.
• Locomotor function and posture were assessed using scales and kinematics over 3 months.
• Histological analysis included lesion extent, neuronal death, and white matter atrophy.
• Retrograde neural tracers visualized propriospinal projection neurons.

Main Results:

• Neuronal loss extended 4-6 mm from lesion borders, with greater loss in the caudal stump.
• Significant white matter atrophy and Wallerian degeneration were observed.
• Pigs exhibited chronic forelimb monoplegia/monoparesis.
• Trunk and hindlimb impairments improved within the first month post-injury.

Conclusions:

• The pig model accurately reproduces key neuropathological features of human SCI.
• Observed functional deficits and recovery patterns provide a baseline for future studies.
• This model is suitable for preclinical testing of novel SCI treatments.