In vivo Bcl-2 oncogene neuronal expression in the rat spinal cord.
METHODS
An acute mechanical rat spinal cord injury model was used to investigate in vivo Bcl-2 oncogene overexpression in neuronal tissue.


OBJECTIVE
To introduce the Bcl-2 oncogene in vivo by a recombinant adenovirus vector into rat spinal cord tissue, and to investigate any potential protective effect on neural tissue in the zone of injury in a rat spinal cord model.


BACKGROUND
The Bcl-2 oncogene inhibits apoptotic and necrotic neural cell death in vitro by regulating an antioxidant pathway at sites of free radical generation. Thus, overexpression of the Bcl-2 oncogene may have a role in limiting the secondary injury cascade of spinal cord injury through its regulation of antioxidants.


METHODS
After confirmation of Bcl-2 gene expression in vitro and in vivo in the rat spinal cord, a weight-drop spinal cord injury model was performed on seven rats with prior Bcl-2 inoculation, and on seven rats with prior B-gal inoculation (controls).


RESULTS
In vivo Bcl-2 expression was documented by immunostaining. After spinal cord harvest, quantification of percentage preserved tissue at the spinal cord injury site suggested that Bcl-2 overexpression confers neuroprotection.


CONCLUSIONS
In vivo Bcl-2 oncogene overexpression was successfully induced in neuronal tissue. After Bcl-2 oncogene expression in the rat spinal cord, the zone of microscopic injury was diminished. Further investigation of the Bcl-2 oncogene for potentially enhancing neuronal survival after spinal cord injury appears indicated.
Lou
J
J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Lenke
L G
LG
Xu
F
F
O'Brien
M
M
D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology
D000975:Antioxidants; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins