Genetic and Pharmacological Inhibition of p38α Improves Locomotor Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury.

ABSTRACT: One of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38α plays a crucial role in various inflammatory diseases and apoptosis of various types of cells. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological roles of p38α in spinal cord injury (SCI), using a mouse model. Lateral hemisection at T9 of the SC was performed in wild type (WT) and p38α^+/- mice (p38α^-/- showed embryonic lethality). p38α^+/- mice showed a better functional recovery from SCI-associated paralyzed hindlimbs compared to WT mice at 7 days post-injury (dpi), which remained until 28 dpi (an end time point of monitoring the behavior). In histopathological analysis at 28 dpi, there was more axonal regeneration with remyelination on the caudal side of the lesion epicenter in p38α^+/- mice t

SUBMITTER: Umezawa H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5313485 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature