Sox11 overexpression restores embryonic pro-growth transcription in mature corticospinal tract neurons

Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) display a high capacity for axon growth during early development but lose this ability at a pivotal differentiation stage marked by synaptic maturation, circuit integration, and a profound shift in gene transcription. Once mature, most CNS neurons fail to reverse this transcriptional switch after axon injury, fundamentally constraining their intrinsic capacity for axon regeneration. Here, we show with single-nucleus RNA sequencing that forced expression of the transcription factor Sox11 in mature corticospinal tract (CST) neurons produces large-scale and stable changes in gene expression that are highly enriched for growth-relevant processes, and which strongly resemble those of pre-synaptic embryonic stages. Moreover, Sox11 is equally effective when delivered to chronically injured CST neurons. These data reveal the ability of Sox11 to reverse a critical step of neuronal maturation even in otherwise unperturbed neurons, clarifying the transcriptional underpinnings and highlighting the potential of Sox11 to act as a pro-regenerative stimulus.