Spinal cord injury induces differential expression of the profibrotic semaphorin 7A in the developing and mature glial scar.
Semaphorin 7A (Sema7A) is involved in the formation of the central nervous system during development by operating axon guidance and neuronal migration. We investigated the expression of the TGFβ-inducible Sema7A following spinal cord injury (SCI). After SCI, Sema7A(+) cells accumulated specifically in lesion areas resulting in significantly enhanced Sema7A expression at the injury site (P < 0.0001). During the first days lesional Sema7A expression was confined to neurons, ballooned neurite fibers/retraction bulbs, and endothelial cells. At day 7, we observed Sema7A expression by components of the glial scar, such as reactive astrocytes and pronounced extracellular Sema7A deposition. In the direct perilesional rim, Sema7A(+) astrocytes coexpressed the activation-associated intermediate filament vimentin. In the injured spinal cord, numbers of Sema7A(+) cells reached maximum levels at day 14. The restricted accumulation of Sema7A(+) reactive astrocytes and Sema7A deposition in fibronectin(+) extracellular matrix territories suggests a participation of the fibrostimulatory Sema7A in the developing and maturating scar following SCI. In addition, Sema7A appears to be marker a for astrocyte activation.
Kopp
Marcel A
MA
Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Research, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany.
Brommer
Benedikt
B
Gatzemeier
Nicole
N
Schwab
Jan M
JM
Prüss
Harald
H
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005355:Fibrosis; D005911:Gliosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology
D015703:Antigens, CD; C558466:Sema7a protein, rat; D039961:Semaphorins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta