DNA vaccination against neurite growth inhibitors to enhance functional recovery following traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
Myelin-associated proteins contribute to failure of axon regeneration in the injured central nervous system of the adult.


METHODS
In this study, we employed a recombinant DNA vaccine encoding the myelin-derived inhibitors NogoA, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and tenascin-R (TnR), so as to effect the production of antibodies against these myelin-related antigens, in a rodent head injury model and ascertained its potential for promoting axonal plasticity and functional recovery. Adult rats underwent lateral fluid percussion at the left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and treatment with the DNA vaccine before or after injury. Behavioral tests and neuroanatomical tract tracing was carried out.


RESULTS
The vaccinated rats showed improved corticorubral plasticity and functional recovery compared to control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This suggests that a DNA vaccination approach may provide a promising strategy for promoting repair after traumatic brain injury.
Zhang
Yi
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
Ang
Beng Ti
BT
Xiao
Zhi Cheng
ZC
Ng
Ivan
I
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D000070798:Nogo Proteins; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D000070798:Nogo Proteins; C000603197:Rtn4 protein, rat; D019063:Tenascin; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; C074638:tenascin R