Nogo-A inhibitory peptide (NEP1-40) increases pan-cadherin expression following mild cortical contusion injury in rats.
BACKGROUND
Nogo-A is a myelin-associated neurite outgrowth inhibitory protein that limits elongation of central nerve fibers, neuronal regeneration and plasticity. We investigated the effect of delivering an inhibitory peptide that neutralizes Nogo-A on neuronal recovery following mild cortical contusion injury.


METHODS
41 rats were allocated into the control and NEP1-40 treatment groups. PBS was applied following trauma over the parietal cortex after opening the dura in the control group. NEP1-40 solution was immediately applied following trauma after opening the dura in the treatment group. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups and sacrificed on the third, eighth, and 21st days after injury. The brains were removed for analysis.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining of the injured cortex for pan-cadherin revealed a significant increase in staining in the NEP 1-40 treatment group at the 8th and 21st days after injury. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed better cytoarchitectural preservation in the axons of the animals treated with NEP 1-40.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed improved preservation of injured neurons after topical application of NEP 1-40 following mild cortical injury. Pan-cadherin expression may correlate with the recovery of neurons and axonal bodies. Electron microscopical findings confirmed better preservation of neuronal structures after NEP1-40 treatment. Pan-cadherin is a good marker for neuronal recovery after cortical injury.
Atalay
Başar
B
Yeditepe University, Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey. batalay@yeditepe.edu.tr
Bavbek
Murad
M
Ozen
Ozlem
O
Nacar
Ahmet
A
Gülşen
Salih
S
Yiğitkanli
Kazim
K
Caner
Hakan
H
Altinörs
Nur
N
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D020127:Recovery of Function
D015820:Cadherins; D009185:Myelin Proteins; C509624:NEP1-40 protein, human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011994:Recombinant Proteins