Effect of Tisseel on Axonal Regeneration in the Dorsal Spinal Column Crush in the Adult Long Evans Shaker Rats

摘要

Although transection of axons in myelinated CNS is permanent and regeneration inhibited, axonal plasticity remains robust in the severely dysmyelinated CNS of adult Long Evans Shaker (LES) rats. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated regeneration of axons in our dorsal column LES crush model with an abrupt cessation at the caudal margin of the cystic lesion. In our current study we utilized Tisseel (Baxter Intl.) as a functional bridge for axons regenerating across the lesion. We hypothesized that once dysmyelinated axons cross the crush site, they will continue to elongate in the dorsal column rostral to the site of injury since inhibition of axonal regeneration is not evident in the LES rat. Numerous tracer-positive axons were observed throughout the dorsal column caudal and up to >1 cm rostral to the site of injury treated with Tisseel. We consider the adult LES rat an excellent model for studies of axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury.