title: Scar-modulating treatments for central nervous system injury.
abstract: Traumatic injury to the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) leads to complex cellular responses. Among them, the scar tissue formed is generally recognized as a major obstacle to CNS repair, both by the production of inhibitory molecules and by the physical impedance of axon regrowth. Therefore, scar-modulating treatments have become a leading therapeutic intervention for CNS injury. To date, a variety of biological and pharmaceutical treatments, targeting scar modulation, have been tested in animal models of CNS injury, and a few are likely to enter clinical trials. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the scar-modulating treatments according to their specific aims: (1) inhibition of glial and fibrotic scar formation, and (2) blockade of the production of scar-associated inhibitory molecules. The removal of existing scar tissue is also discussed as a treatment of choice. It is believed that only a combinatorial strategy is likely to help eliminate the detrimental effects of scar tissue on CNS repair.
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
authors: Dingding
authors: D
authors: Shen
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
authors: Xiaodong
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China. nervegu@ntu.edu.cn.
authors: Xiaosong
authors: X
authors: Gu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005911:Gliosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology