Abstract
AFTER lesions in the differentiated central nervous system (CNS) of higher vertebrates, interrupted fibre tracts do not regrow and elongate by more than an initial sprout of ∼ 1 mm (refs 1–3). Transplantations of pieces of peripheral nerves into various parts of the CNS demonstrate the widespread capability of CNS neurons to regenerate lesioned axons over long distances in a peripheral nerve environment (for example, see refs 2 and 3). CNS white matter4–6, cultured oligodendrocytes (the myelin-producing cells of the CNS), and CNS myelin itself, are strong inhibitors of neuron growth in culture7, a property associated with defined myelin membrane proteins of relative molecular mass (Mr) 35,000 (NI-35) and 250,000 (NI-250)8. We have now intracerebrally applied the monoclonal antibody IN-1, which neutralizes the inhibitory effect of both these proteins9, to young rats by implanting antibody-producing tumours. In 2–6-week-old rats we made complete transections of the cortico-spinal tract, a major fibre tract of the spinal cord, the axons of which originate in the motor and sensory neocortex10,11. Previous studies have shown a complete absence of cortico-spinal tract regeneration after the first postnatal week in rats12, and in adult hamsters and cats13,14. In IN-1-treated rats, massive sprouting occurred at the lesion site, and fine axons and fascicles could be observed up to 7–11 mm caudal to the lesion within 2–3 weeks. In control rats, a similar sprouting reaction occurred, but the maximal distance of elongation rarely exceeded 1 mm. These results demonstrate the capacity for CNS axons to regenerate and elongate within differentiated CNS tissue after the neutralization of myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Ramon y Cajal, S. Degeneration and Regeneration of the Nervous System (Hafner, New York, 1959).
David, S. & Aguayo, A. J. Science 214, 931–933 (1981).
Vidal-Sanz, M., Bray, G. M, Villegas-Pérez, M. P., Thanos, S. & Aguayo, A. J. J. Neurosci. 7, 2894–2909 (1987).
Schwab, M. E. & Thoenen, H. J. Neurosci. 5, 2415–2423 (1985).
Carbonetto, S., Evans, D. & Cochard, P. J. Neurosci. 7, 610–620 (1987).
Savio, T. & Schwab, M. E. J. Neurosci. 9, 1126–1133 (1989).
Schwab, M. E. & Caroni, P. J. Neurosci. 8, 2381–2393 (1988).
Caroni, P. & Schwab, M. E. J. Cell Biol. 106, 1281–1288 (1988).
Caroni, P. & Schwab, M. E. Neuron 1, 85–96 (1988).
Casale, E., Light, A. R. & Rustioni, A. J. comp. Neurol. 278, 275–286 (1988).
Joosten, E. A. J., Gribnau, A. A. M. & Dederen, J. W. C. Devl Brain Res. 36, 121–130 (1987).
Bernstein, D. R. & Stelzner, D. J. J. comp. Neurol. 221, 382–400 (1983).
Kalil, K. & Reh, T. J. comp. Neurol. 211, 265–275 (1982).
Tolbert, D. L. & Der, T. J. comp. Neurol. 260, 299–311 (1987).
Schreyer, D. J. & Jones, E. G. Devl Brain Res. 38, 103–119 (1988).
Nornes, H, Björklund, A. & Stenevi, U. Cell Tissue Res. 230, 15–35 (1983).
Foster, G. A. et al., Expl Brain Res. 60, 427–444 (1985).
Björklund, A. Segal, M. & Stenevi, U. Brain Res. 170, 409–426 (1979).
Semenenko, F. M., Bramwell, S., Sidebottom, E. & Cuello, A. C. Histochemistry 83, 405–408 (1985).
Borgens, R. B., Blight, A. R. & Murphy, D. J. J. comp. Neurol. 250, 157–167 (1986).
Mesulam, M.-M. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 26, 106–117 (1978).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schnell, L., Schwab, M. Axonal regeneration in the rat spinal cord produced by an antibody against myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitors. Nature 343, 269–272 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/343269a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/343269a0
This article is cited by
-
Regulation of axonal regeneration after mammalian spinal cord injury
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology (2023)
-
The Effect of Different Routes of Xenogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on the Regenerative Potential of Spinal Cord Injury
Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine (2023)
-
Progression in translational research on spinal cord injury based on microenvironment imbalance
Bone Research (2022)
-
Natural and targeted circuit reorganization after spinal cord injury
Nature Neuroscience (2022)
-
NogoA-expressing astrocytes limit peripheral macrophage infiltration after ischemic brain injury in primates
Nature Communications (2021)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.