Macrophages Promote Axon Regeneration with Concurrent Neurotoxicity

Macrophages promote axon regeneration with concurrent neurotoxicity.

Activated macrophages can promote regeneration of CNS axons. However, macrophages also release factors that kill neurons. These opposing functions are likely induced simultaneously but are rarely considered together in the same experimental preparation. A goal of this study was to unequivocally document the concurrent neurotoxic and neuroregenerative potential of activated macrophages. To do so...

Morphine: axon regeneration, neuroprotection, neurotoxicity, tolerance, and neuropathic pain.

Opioids have been used medicinally for millennia for their potent effects on nociception. However, the past 20 years have led to important insights into the influences and mechanisms of opioid actions, which are more extensive than merely analgesia, including human synthesis of opioids, critical roles of opioids during development and following nerve injury, and actions of different opiate alka...

Genetically modifying transcription factors to promote CNS axon regeneration

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs promote axon regeneration via RhoA inhibition.

After a CNS injury in the adult mammals, axonal regeneration is very limited because of the reduced intrinsic growth capacity and nonpermissive environment for axonal elongation. The growth inhibitions from CNS myelin and astroglial chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans partially account for the lack of CNS repair. Here, we show that the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen and in...

Guiding the migration of grafted cells to promote axon regeneration

A promising therapeutic strategy to promote the regeneration of injured axons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is the transplantation of cells or tissues that can modify the local host environment and support the growth of regenerating axons. Growth-supportive cells that have been successfully used in experimental transplantation therapy of spinal cord injury (SCI) include Schwann cell...