This fish uses surprising strategy to regrow spinal cord
Zebrafish can fully heal a severed spinal cord, offering potential clues for treating spinal cord injuries in humans, which often result in permanent loss of sensation and movement.
A study from Washington University School of Medicine mapped out all the cells involved in zebrafish spinal cord regeneration, revealing that the survival and adaptability of injured neurons are crucial for recovery.
Unlike mammals, zebrafish neurons alter their functions after injury, first surviving and then playing a central role in orchestrating the healing process, with stem cells playing a complementary but not leading role.
The study, published in Nature Communications, found that if injury-surviving neurons are disabled, zebrafish lose their ability to swim, despite the presence of regenerative stem cells.
In humans and mammals, spinal cord injuries trigger toxic events that kill neurons, hindering repair efforts. The study suggests that protecting injured neurons is key to successful spinal cord regeneration.
Researchers hope to identify the genes responsible for this protective process in zebrafish, which could lead to new therapies for preserving neurons and promoting spinal cord healing in humans.
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