Polarity in sensory neuron axonal transport: relevance to regenerative capacity in the central and peripheral nervous system

RÁSMUSSEN, J.; FITT, M.R.; LAURITO, S.R.; SAVASTANO, L.E.; PATTERSON, S.I.

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; XXVI Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia; 2011

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia

The differential regenerative capacity of the central and peripheral branches of the spinal sensory neurons is a classic model for evaluating the components – molecular, cellular, pharmacological and physiological – that contribute to successful or failed nerve regrowth.  This is due to an unusual anatomic characteristic of these neurons – they send one bifurcated axon into both the peripheral and central nervous systems. While the former is capable of regenerating after injury, regeneration of the same axon in the central root fails when it encounters the central nervous system environment. This model provides a versatile system for identifying elements that contribute to, or limit, the regenerative capacity of the nervous system. One contributor to the different central and peripheral capacity for regeneration is the transport of proteins down the two branches after injury to the corresponding branches. Here, we describe the characteristics of two forms of nerve injury that can be used to investigate the inherent and limited capacity of the nervous system to recover after damage. Proteins associated with regeneration are transported bidirectionally after injury to a single branch, and contribute differentially to the regenerative capacity in two very distinct environments.