Functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice through activation of microglia and dendritic cells after IL-12 administration.
We have previously reported that the transplantation of dendritic cells (DCs) brings about functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice through the activation of endogenous microglia/macrophages and neural stem/progenitor cells. In this study, the effect of interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is secreted from DCs, was evaluated for the treatment of spinal cord injury in mice. Administration of IL-12 into the injured site significantly increased the number of activated microglia/macrophages and DCs as well as the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor surrounding the lesion site. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that de novo neurogenesis and remyelination were induced by IL-12 treatment. Furthermore, an open field test using Basso-Beattie-Brenham scoring revealed a significant improvement of locomotor function in mice treated with IL-12. These results suggest that IL-12 administration into the injured spinal cord results in a functional recovery through the activation of microglia/macrophages and DCs.
Yaguchi
Masae
M
Neuroimmunology Research Group, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Ohta
Shigeki
S
Toyama
Yoshiaki
Y
Kawakami
Yutaka
Y
Toda
Masahiro
M
D000818:Animals; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017628:Microglia / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D018664:Interleukin-12; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine