title: Proteoglycans in the central nervous system: plasticity, regeneration and their stimulation with chondroitinase ABC.
abstract: After injury to the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), neurons are not able to regenerate their axons and recovery is limited by restricted plasticity. Axon regeneration is inhibited by the presence of the various inhibitory molecules, including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) which are upregulated around the injury site. Plasticity after the end of critical periods is restricted by extracellular matrix changes, particularly the formation of CSPG-containing perineuronal nets. Enzymatic removal of chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains with chondroitinase ABC promotes axon regeneration and reactivates plasticity. This review details the structures and properties of the different CSPGs in the normal and damaged CNS, the use of the enzyme chondroitinase ABC to promote neural regeneration and plasticity, and discusses mechanisms of action and possible therapeutic uses of this enzyme.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2PY, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica C F
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Fardad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Afshari
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García-Alías
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fawcett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D011509:Proteoglycans; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase