Browsing by Author "Kazemi S"

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    IKVAV-linked cell membrane-spanning peptide treatment induces neuronal reactivation following spinal cord injury
    (27/10/2015) Kazemi S; Baltzer WI; Schilke K; Mansouri H; Mata JE
    Spinal cord regeneration following treatment with a novel membrane-spanning peptide (MSP) expressing the isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV) epitope was assessed in Balb-c mice. After hemilaminectomy and compression injury, mice were treated with IKVAV, IKVAV-MSP, peptide or vehicle control. Functional improvement was assessed using modified Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Scale (mBBB) and spinal cord segments were studied histologically 28 days after injury. IKVAV-MSP group scores increased significantly compared with control groups after 4 weeks of observation (p < 0.05). The number of protoplasmic astrocytes, neurons and muscle bundle size in the IKVAV-MSP mice were significantly increased (p < 0.001; p < 0.05 and p < 0.007; respectively). This study demonstrates that it is possible to promote functional recovery after SCI using bioactive IKVAV presenting cell membrane-spanning peptides. Lay abstract: A new potential treatment for spinal cord injury was tested in mice. Mice were treated with our membrane-spanning peptide with the IKVAV motif (IKVAV-MSP) or various control treatments. Functional improvement was assessed daily and spinal cord segments were evaluated after 4 weeks. IKVAV-MSP treatment significantly restored function compared with control groups, numbers of health nerve cells within the spinal cord were increased and muscles appeared healthier. This study demonstrates that it is possible to promote functional recovery after SCI using bioactive IKVAV presenting cell membrane-spanning peptides.