title: CNS regeneration after chronic injury using a self-assembled nanomaterial and MEMRI for real-time in vivo monitoring.
abstract: To speed up the process of central nervous system (CNS) recovery after injury, the need for real-time measurement of axon regeneration in vivo is essential to assess the extent of injury, as well as the optimal timing and delivery of therapeutics and rehabilitation. It was necessary to develop a chronic animal model with an in vivo measurement technique to provide a real-time monitoring and feedback system. Using the framework of the 4 P's of CNS regeneration (Preserve, Permit, Promote and Plasticity) as a guide, combined with noninvasive manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI), we show a successful chronic injury model to measure CNS regeneration, combined with an in vivo measurement system to provide real-time feedback during every stage of the regeneration process. We also show that a chronic optic tract (OT) lesion is able to heal, and axons are able to regenerate, when treated with a self-assembling nanofiber peptide scaffold (SAPNS).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The authors of this study demonstrate the development of a chronic injury model to measure CNS regeneration, combined with an in vivo measurement system to provide real-time feedback during every stage of the regeneration process. In addition, they determined that chronic optic tract lesions are able to heal with axonal regeneration when treated with a self-assembling nanofiber peptide scaffold (SAPNS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Sunny W H
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Kevin C W
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ed X
authors.initials: EX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: David K C
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: Rutledge G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ellis-Behnke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006224:Cricetinae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008345:Manganese; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010455:Peptides; D008345:Manganese