Targeting inhibitory chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans to promote plasticity after injury.
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are one of the major families of inhibitory extracellular matrix molecules in the central nervous system. The expression of various CSPGs is strong during early nervous system development; however, it is downregulated during maturation and up-regulated again after nervous system injury. In vivo injection of an enzyme called chondroitinase ABC, which removes the inhibitory chondroitin sulphate chains on the CSPGs, in the injured area promotes both the regeneration and plasticity of the neurons. Here, we describe the method of in vivo injection of the chondroitinase ABC into the cortex of adult rat brain and the histochemical method to assess the successfulness of the digestion.
John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK, jcfk2@cam.ac.uk.
Jessica C F
JC
Kwok
Janosch P
JP
Heller
Rong-Rong
RR
Zhao
James W
JW
Fawcett
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D057487:Enzyme Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase