Abstract
Avulsion of ventral roots induces degeneration of most axotomized motoneurons. At present there are no effective strategies to prevent such neuronal loss and to preserve the affected spinal circuits. Interestingly, changes in the spinal cord network also occur during the course of the experimental model of multiple sclerosis (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis-EAE). Glatiramer acetate (GA) significantly reduces the seriousness of the symptoms during the exacerbation of EAE. However, little is known about its effects on motoneurons. In the present study, we investigated whether GA has an influence on synapse plasticity and glial reaction after ventral root avulsion (VRA). Lewis rats were subjected to the avulsion of lumbar ventral roots and treated with GA. The animals were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment and the spinal cords processed for immunohistochemistry. A correlation between the synaptic changes and glial activation was obtained by performing immunolabeling against synaptophysin, GFAP and Iba-1. GA treatment preserved synaptophysin labeling, and significantly reduced the glial reaction in the area surrounding the axotomized motoneurons. After ventral root avulsion, GA treatment was also neuroprotective. The present results indicate that the immunomodulator GA has an influence on the stability of nerve terminals in the spinal cord, which may in turn contribute to future treatment strategies after proximal lesions to spinal motoneurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biomarkers / analysis
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Biomarkers / metabolism
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / analysis
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Survival / drug effects
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Cell Survival / physiology
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Cytoprotection / drug effects
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Cytoprotection / physiology
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Disease Models, Animal
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Glatiramer Acetate
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
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Gliosis / drug therapy
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Gliosis / physiopathology
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Gliosis / prevention & control
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Immunohistochemistry
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Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Microfilament Proteins
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Motor Neurons / drug effects*
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Motor Neurons / pathology
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Nerve Degeneration / drug therapy*
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Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
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Nerve Degeneration / prevention & control
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Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects*
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Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
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Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
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Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
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Peptides / pharmacology*
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Peptides / therapeutic use
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred Lew
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Rhizotomy / adverse effects*
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Spinal Cord / drug effects*
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Spinal Cord / pathology
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Spinal Cord / physiopathology
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Spinal Nerve Roots / injuries
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Spinal Nerve Roots / pathology
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Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
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Synaptophysin / analysis
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Synaptophysin / metabolism
Substances
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Aif1 protein, rat
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Biomarkers
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Microfilament Proteins
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Neuroprotective Agents
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Peptides
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Synaptophysin
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Glatiramer Acetate