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Oxidative DNA Damage in the Pathophysiology of Spinal Cord Injury: Seems Obvious, but Where Is the Evidence?

Elle E M Scheijen1, Sven Hendrix2, David M Wilson1

  • 1Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Oxidative DNA damage is a key factor in spinal cord injury (SCI) pathogenesis, but research is limited. Improved analysis methods are needed to understand DNA damage and repair roles in SCI recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves oxidative stress, damaging cellular components like DNA.
  • Oxidative DNA damage is hypothesized to significantly contribute to SCI pathogenesis and cell death.
  • Current evidence linking oxidative DNA damage to SCI is limited and shows high variability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on oxidative DNA damage following SCI.
  • To highlight the need for improved methodologies in analyzing DNA damage and repair in SCI.
  • To underscore the potential role of DNA damage and repair in SCI pathogenesis and outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on oxidative DNA damage in SCI.
  • Analysis of studies using comet assays and immunohistochemistry to detect DNA damage.
  • Examination of DNA damage response markers such as 8-oxodG, DNA strand breaks, PCNA, PARP1, and APEX1.

Main Results:

  • Oxidative DNA damage is increased after SCI, but timing and magnitude vary.
  • Specific markers like 8-oxodG peak at 1-7 days post-injury (dpi), while DNA strand breaks peak at 7-28 dpi.
  • The DNA damage response involves upregulation of PCNA and PARP1, and downregulation of APEX1.

Conclusions:

  • Oxidative DNA damage is a significant factor in SCI, contributing to cell death.
  • Variability in findings necessitates standardized and advanced analytical techniques.
  • Further research using improved methodologies, including single-cell analysis, is crucial to elucidate the role of DNA damage and repair in SCI.
Keywords:
DNA damage responseDNA repairantioxidantsoxidative DNA damageoxidative stressreactive oxygen speciesspinal cord injury

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