Elevated gene expression in the red nucleus after spinal cord compression injury.
Since the mechanism of injury in the majority of human traumatic spinal cord injuries involves rapid cord compression due to bone displacement or fracture-dislocation, we have used a compression injury model to examine the response of adult rat rubrospinal neurons to traumatic spinal cord injury. We have applied in situ hybridization techniques to examine levels of mRNA for cytoskeletal and growth-associated proteins. We report a population of magnocellular red nucleus neurons with elevated levels of T alpha 1 tubulin and GAP-43 up to four weeks post-lesion. In control animals, both probes had very low hybridization signals indistinguishable from background. These and other findings suggest that kinetic compression injuries of the adult spinal cord can result in regeneration-associated gene expression in intrinsic CNS neurons.
Theriault
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Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Tetzlaff
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W
Tator
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D015870:Gene Expression; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012012:Red Nucleus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes
D015342:DNA Probes; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D004247:DNA