Cross-species comparisons between pigs and mice reveal conserved sex-specific intraspinal inflammatory responses after spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Therapeutic translation is challenging in spinal cord injury (SCI) and large animal models with high clinical relevance may accelerate therapeutic development. Pigs have important anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Intraspinal inflammation mediates SCI pathophysiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex on inflammation and outcomes in a pig thoracic contusion/compression SCI model.

Methods

Adult (gonad-intact) male and female Yucatan miniature swine were subjected to either SCI or sham (laminectomy-only) injury.

Results

SCI caused locomotor dysfunction (measured with the Porcine Thoracic Injury Behavior Score) with some recovery over 6 weeks and limited tissue sparing at 6 weeks with no difference between sexes. Imm

SUBMITTER: Kumari R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11759441 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature