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Quantitative Assessment of Immune Cells in the Injured Spinal Cord Tissue by Flow Cytometry: a Novel Use for a Cell Purification Method
Published on: April 9, 2011
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Profiling Immunological Phenotypes in Individuals During the First Year After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A
Debra Morrison1, Camille Pinpin2, Annette Lee1,2
1The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|May 24, 2023
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) alters immune responses, increasing infection risk. This study reveals dynamic molecular and cellular immune changes over the first year post-injury, identifying potential targets for treatment and biomarkers for injury severity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) profoundly impacts the immune system, leading to heightened infection susceptibility and chronic inflammation.
- Existing research indicates distinct immunological shifts between acute and chronic SCI phases, yet comprehensive human phenotyping remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize the dynamic molecular and cellular immune phenotypes in individuals with SCI during the first year post-injury.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers associated with SCI-induced immune dysregulation and injury severity.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 12 individuals with SCI and 23 controls were analyzed at multiple time points (0-3 days, 3, 6, 12 months post-injury).
- Analyses included bulk-RNA sequencing, proteomic profiling, and flow cytometry (FACS) to assess gene expression, protein levels, and immune cell populations.
- Gene expression data were compared between SCI and control groups, and between motor complete and incomplete SCI.
Main Results:
- 967 differentially expressed genes were identified in SCI individuals compared to controls.
- Reduced natural killer (NK) cell gene expression and frequencies were observed, particularly at 12 months post-injury.
- Increased and prolonged expression of inflammation-associated genes (e.g., HMGB1, Toll-like receptor signaling) and expanded monocyte frequencies were noted acutely.
- T-cell related genes and activated T-cell frequencies increased within the first year post-SCI.
- Distinct gene expression profiles reflecting neurological injury severity were identified, with 2876 differentially expressed genes distinguishing motor complete from incomplete SCI.
Conclusions:
- SCI induces a dynamic immunological phenotype characterized by significant molecular and cellular alterations in the first year post-injury.
- These changes include dysregulation of NK cells, T cells, and monocytes, alongside persistent inflammation.
- The identified immune signatures offer potential therapeutic targets for mitigating inflammation and improving immunity, and may serve as biomarkers for SCI severity.
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