Targeting cell surface receptors for axon regeneration in the central nervous system

Axon regeneration in the CNS is largely unsuccessful due to excess inhibitory extrinsic factors within lesion sites together with an intrinsic inability of neurons to regrow following injury. Recent work demonstrates that forced expression of certain neuronal transmembrane receptors can recapitulate neuronal growth resulting in successful growth within and through inhibitory lesion environments. More specifically, neuronal expression of integrin receptors such as alpha9beta1 integrin which binds the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin-C, trk receptors such as trk B which binds the neurotrophic factor BDNF, and receptor PTPσ which binds chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans, have all been show to significantly enhance regeneration of injured axons. We discuss how reintroduction of these receptors in damaged neurons facilitates signalling from the internal environment of the cell with the external environment of the lesion milieu, effectively resulting in growth and repair following injury. In summary, we suggest an appropriate balance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors are required to obtain substantial axon regeneration.

Trick or treat?Does cancer fool Schwann cells by mimicking axons to promote metastasis into nerves?

The Schwann cell reaction to nerve injury,termed the repair program,is crucial to successful nerve regeneration.Over the last decade,substantial advances have been made in elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms in Schwann cells that lead to functional nerve repair.Moreover,the field has identified situations,such as aging and chronic denervation where these mechanisms go awry,paving the way for the development of therapeutic interventions(Arthur-Farraj and Coleman,2021;Cattin and Lloyd,2016;Jessen and Mirsky,2019).A recent article by Deborde et al.(2022)has demonstrated that unfortunately there is a downside to Schwann cells having such an efficient regeneration-promoting program;the promotion of tumor invasion of peripheral nerves.

Targeting Wnt signaling at the neuroimmune interface for dopaminergic neuroprotectionJrepair in Parkinson＇s disease

During the past three decades, the Wingless-type MMTV integration site （Wnt） signaling cascade has emerged as an essential system regulating multiple processes in developing and adult brain. Accumulating evidence points to a dysregulation of Wnt signaling in major neurodegenerative pathologies including Parkinson＇s disease （PD）, a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the pro- gressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic （mDA） neurons and deregulated activation of astrocytes and microglia. This review highlights the emerging link between Wnt signaling and key inflammatory pathways during mDA neuron damage/repair in PD progression. In particular, we summarize recent evidence documenting that aging and neurotoxicant exposure strongly antagonize Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mDA neurons and subventricular zone （SVZ） neuroprogenitors via astrocyte-microglial interactions. Dysregulation of the crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory pathways delineate novel mechanisms driving the decline of SVZ plasticity with age and the limited nigrostriatal dopaminergic self-repair in PD. These findings hold a promise in devetoping therapies that target Wnt/β-catenin signaling to enhance endogenous restoration and neuronal outcome in age-dependent diseases, such as PD.

State-of-art modelling of inflammatory astrocyte-synapse interactions in injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Different outcomes of astrocyte inflammatory signalling in injury and neurodegeneration：It is emerging that astrocytes have a significant impact on the neuronal network by modulating synaptic connections and neuronal viability in both normal and pathological states.

Linking axon transport to regeneration using in vitro laser axotomy

Spinal cord injury has devastating consequences because adult central nervous system （CNS） neurons do not regenerate their axons after injury. Two key reasons for axon regeneration fail- ure are extrinsic inhibitory factors and a low intrinsic capacity for axon regrowth. Research has therefore focused on overcom- ing extrinsic growth inhibition, and enhancing intrinsic regeneration capacity. Both of these issues will need to be addressed to enable optimal repair of the injured sp＋inal cord.

Neuro-oncogenesis and the adult human sub-ventricular zone in high grade glioma

The last fifteen years have seen the application of the cancer stem cell hypothesis to tumors of the central nervous system,in particular to high grade glioma(HGG),the most aggressive and common brain cancer in adults.Seminal studies have shown that cancer stem cells(alternatively named tumor-initiating cells)are capable of self-renew and multipotency,similar to their normal counterpart.More importantly they give rise to tumors that closely mimic the phenotype and genotype of human HGG.The identification of neurogenic niches in adult rodent and human brain has further reinforced the hypothesis that HGG might derive from the malignant transformation occurring in these areas,especially in the sub-ventricular zone(SVZ),the largest and most well characterised stem cell niche.Following from evidence of animal model studies supporting this hypothesis,recently we investigated the role of the SVZ in neuro-oncogenesis using tissue material derived from HGG patients.We also described response to conventional chemo-therapies of cancer stem cells isolated from the SVZ and the tumor mass(T)of the same patients and reconstructed tumor evolution.In this review,such findings will be discussed in the context of the current literature on the biology of the SVZ in the normal and disease brain.