biostudies-literatureYue WWSNINDS NIH HHS407-414https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12935313biostudies-literatureUnknown634(8033)After injury, mammalian spinal cords develop scars to confine the lesion and prevent further damage. However, excessive scarring can hinder neural regeneration and functional recovery^1,2. These competing actions underscore the importance of developing therapeutic strategies to dynamically modulate scar progression. Previous research on scarring has primarily focused on astrocytes, but recent evidence has suggested that ependymal cells also participate. Ependymal cells normally form the epithelial layer encasing the central canal, but they undergo massive proliferation and differentiation into astroglia following certain injuries, becoming a core scar component^3-7. However, the mechanisms regulating ependymal proliferation in vivo remain unclear. Here we uncover an endNatureEndogenous opioid signalling regulates spinal ependymal cell proliferation.PMC12935313R35 NS105038Touhara KKJulius DYue WWSToma KDuan XfalseEndogenous opioid signalling regulates spinal ependymal cell proliferation.After injury, mammalian spinal cords develop scars to confine the lesion and prevent further damage. However, excessive scarring can hinder neural regeneration and functional recovery^1,2. These competing actions underscore the importance of developing therapeutic strategies to dynamically modulate scar progression. Previous research on scarring has primarily focused on astrocytes, but recent evidence has suggested that ependymal cells also participate. Ependymal cells normally form the epithelial layer encasing the central canal, but they undergo massive proliferation and differentiation into astroglia following certain injuries, becoming a core scar component^3-7. However, the mechanisms regulating ependymal proliferation in vivo remain unclear. Here we uncover an end2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2026-07-16T20:47:10.315Z2026-07-10T03:12:25.542ZS-EPMC129353133929437210.1038/s41586-024-07889-w