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U Bartsch

Publications and source records attributed to U Bartsch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Isolation of a tenascin-R binding protein from mouse brain membranes. A phosphacan-related chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan.

We have isolated a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan from mouse brain by affinity chromatography with a fragment of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin-R (TN-R) that comprises the amino-terminal cysteine-rich stretch and the 4.5 epidermal growth factor-like repeats. The isolated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan has a molecular mass of 500-600 kDa and carries the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope. Treatment with chondroitinase ABC reveals a major band of approximately 400 kDa and two minor bands at 200 and 150 kDa. Immunoblot analysis relates the molecule to phosphacan but not to the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans neurocan and versican. Binding of the phosphacan-related molecule to the epidermal growth factor-like repeats of TN-R is Ca2+-dependent. Co-localization of the molecule with TN-R in the retina and optic nerve by immunocytochemistry suggests a functional relationship between the two molecules in vivo. Inhibition of neurite outgrowth from hippocampal neurons by the phosphacan-related molecule in vitro is neutralized by TN-R when coated as a uniform substrate. Furthermore, the phosphacan-related molecule neutralizes growth cone repulsion induced by TN-R coated as a sharp substrate boundary with or without prior treatment with chondroitinase ABC. These observations indicate that TN-R can interact with a phosphacan-related molecule and thereby modulate its inhibitory influence on neuritogenesis.

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Increased number of unmyelinated axons in optic nerves of adult mice deficient in the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG).

We have recently demonstrated that the formation of myelin sheaths in the optic nerve of young postnatal mice deficient in the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) is retarded when compared to age-matched wild-type mice. In the present study, we analyzed whether impaired myelination of retinal ganglion cell axons is detectable in adult MAG mutants. In optic nerves of 2- and 9-month-old MAG-deficient mice, we observed a significantly increased number of unmyelinated axons compared to age-matched wild-type mice. At both ages, unmyelinated axons in optic nerves of MAG mutants were of small caliber. The number of unmyelinated axons decreased significantly in 9-month-old MAG mutants when compared to 2-month-old MAG mutants, indicative of a slow and long-lasting myelination of axons in the mutant. Our observations support the view that MAG is involved in the initiation of myelination in the CNS.

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Disruption of the mouse L1 gene leads to malformations of the nervous system.

The adhesion molecule L1 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. L1 is involved in various recognition processes in the CNS and PNS, and binding to L1 can activate signal transduction pathways. Mutations in the human L1 gene are associated with a variable phenotype, including mental retardation and anomalous development of the nervous system, referred to as 'CRASH' (corpus callosum hypoplasia, retardation, adducted thumbs, spastic paraplegia, and hydrocephalus). We generated an animal model of these conditions by gene targetting. Mutant mice were smaller than wild-type and were less sensitive to touch and pain, and their hind-legs appeared weak and uncoordinated. The size of the corticospinal tract was reduced and, depending on genetic background, the lateral ventricles were often enlarged. Non-myelinating Schwann cells formed processes not associated with axons and showed reduced association with axons. In vitro, neurite outgrowth on an L1 substrate and fasciculation were impaired. The mutant mouse described here will help to elucidate the functions of L1 in the nervous system and how these depend on genetic influences.

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Changes in the expression of the extracellular matrix molecules tenascin-C and tenascin-R after 3-acetylpyridine-induced lesion of the olivocerebellar system of the adult rat.

In the central nervous system of rodents, the extracellular matrix glycoproteins tenascin-C and tenascin-R are expressed predominantly by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes respectively. Both molecules support neurite outgrowth from several neuronal cell types when presented as uniform substrates. When offered as a sharp boundary with a permissive substrate, however, both molecules prevent neurite elongation. On the basis of these observations it has been suggested that tenascin-C and tenascin-R may be relevant in determining the cellular response after injury in the adult rodent central nervous system. To investigate whether tenascin-C and tenascin-R may play important functional roles in the lesioned central nervous system, we have analysed their expression in the olivocerebellar system of the adult rat after 3-acetylpyridine-induced degeneration of nerve cells in the inferior olivary nucleus. Tenascin-C mRNA was not detectable at any time in the unlesioned or lesioned inferior olivary nucleus by in situ hybridization. In the cerebellar cortex, tenascin-C mRNA in Golgi epithelial cells was down-regulated 3 days after the lesion and returned to control values 80 days after the lesion. Tenascin-R mRNA was expressed by distinct neural cell types in the unlesioned olivocerebellar system. After a lesion, the density of cells containing tenascin-R transcripts increased significantly in the inferior olivary nucleus and in the white matter of the cerebellar cortex. Immunohistochemical and immunochemical investigations confirmed these observations at the protein level. Our data thus suggest differential functions of tenascin-C and tenascin-R in the injured central nervous system.

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Dying-back oligodendrogliopathy: a late sequel of myelin-associated glycoprotein deficiency.

Ultrastructural analysis of myelin from 8-month-old mice deficient in the myelin-associated glycoprotein revealed pronounced and characteristic alterations of the periaxonal oligodendrocyte processes, consisting of intracytoplasmic deposition of vesicular material, multivesicular bodies, mitochondria, and lipofuscin granules, as well as granular or paracrystalline inclusions. These alterations are similar to those described before as "dying-back oligodendrogliopathy" in diseases of toxic or immune-mediated demyelination including multiple sclerosis.

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Transplantation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into the rat retina: extensive myelination of retinal ganglion cell axons.

In most mammals, retinal ganglion cell axons are unmyelinated in the retina. The same axons become myelinated in the optic nerve. Various studies suggest that retinal ganglion cell axons are also in principle, myelination competent intraretinally and that non-neuronal factors at the retinal end of the optic nerve prevent the migration of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into the retina. To test this hypothesis directly, we injected oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into the retina of young postnatal rats. We observed massive myelination of ganglion cell axons in the retina 1 month after cell transplantation. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that intraretinal segments of ganglion cell axons were surrounded by central nervous system myelin sheaths with a normal morphology. Our results thus provide direct evidence for the myelination competence of the intraretinal part of rat retinal ganglion cell axons.

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Apoptotic cell death of photoreceptor cells in mice deficient for the adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG, the beta 2- subunit of the Na, K-ATPase).

Disruption of the gene for the adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG, the beta 2-subunit of the Na, K-ATPase) in mice results in swelling and subsequent degeneration of astrocyte endfeet in the brainstem and in cell death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. In the present study, we demonstrate that photoreceptor cells in the mutant develop normally during the first postnatal week. Compared to wild-type mice, a slightly increased density of degenerating photoreceptor cells became apparent in 9-day-old mutants and numerous degenerating photoreceptor cells were present in the retina of 16-day-old AMOG/beta 2-deficient mice. In situ labelling of degenerating cells by terminal dUTP nick end labelling and electron microscopic analysis revealed apoptotic cell death of photoreceptor cells. Massive degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the mutant at postnatal day 16 correlated with elevated levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein in retinal astrocytes and with expression of this protein by Muller cells. No evidence was found for degeneration of other retinal cell types or for glial cell death in the optic nerve. Our observations demonstrate that the pathological death of cells induced by disruption of the AMOG/beta 2 gene results from activation of an intrinsic death program, similar to what has been shown to occur during normal development.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Myelination and axonal regeneration in the central nervous system of mice deficient in the myelin-associated glycoprotein.

The myelin-associated glycoprotein, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been implicated in the formation and maintenance of myelin sheaths. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that myelin-associated glycoprotein is inhibitory for neurite elongation in vitro and it has therefore been suggested that myelin-associated glycoprotein prevents axonal regeneration in lesioned nervous tissue. The generation of mice deficient in the expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein by targeted disruption of the mag gene via homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells has allowed the study of the functional role of this molecule in vivo. This review summarizes experiments aimed at answering the following questions: (i) is myelin-associated glycoprotein involved in the formation and maintenance of myelin in the CNS? and (ii) does myelin-associated glycoprotein restrict axonal regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS? Analysis of optic nerves from mutant mice revealed a delay in myelination when compared to optic nerves of wild-type animals, a lack of a periaxonal cytoplasmic collar from most myelin sheaths, and the presence of some doubly and multiply myelinated axons. Axonal regeneration in the CNS of adult myelin-associated glycoprotein deficient mice was not improved when compared to wild-type animals. These observations indicate that myelin-associated glycoprotein is functionally involved in the recognition of axons by oligodendrocytes and in the morphological maturation of myelin sheaths. However, results do not support a role of myelin-associated glycoprotein as a potent inhibitor of axonal regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS.

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The extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C: expression in vivo and functional characterization in vitro.

Tenascin-C is a member of a small family of closely related extracellular matrix molecules. The protein is highly conserved during evolution and is expressed in a variety of tissues. In the nervous systems of rodents and chickens, tenascin-C is predominantly expressed at early developmental ages and has been hypothesized to be functionally involved in different steps of neural development. For example, tenascin-C has been implicated in synaptogenesis, migration of different neural cell types, axonal growth in the developing and lesioned nervous system, and in the formation and maintenance of discrete anatomical boundaries. Experiments with monoclonal anti-tenascin-C antibodies or recombinantly expressed tenascin-C fragments have localized different functions of tenascin-C to different domains of the protein. Functional diversity of tenascin-C in vitro might additionally relate to a cell type-specific expression of different receptor(s) and/or to differences in intracellular signal transduction pathways. Surprisingly, mutant mice reported to completely lack expression of tenascin-C develop normally and reveal no detectable phenotype, suggesting that tenascin-C does not play a critical role in the intact organism. However, residual expression of an abnormal fragment of the tenascin-C protein has recently been detected in this mutant.

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Expression of the neural adhesion molecule L1 in the deafferented dentate gyrus.

Expression of the neural adhesion molecule L1 and its potential involvement in axonal sprouting were examined in the deafferented rat dentate gyrus. We focused on the dentate gyrus because of its well-defined cytoarchitecture and well-characterized neuronal degeneration and sprouting response following entorhinal cortex lesions. In the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, a trilaminar staining pattern was observed, with the middle molecular layer exhibiting slightly denser immunolabeling compared to both inner and outer molecular layers. Two to 12 days after a unilateral entorhinal cortex lesion, a progressive loss of L1 immunolabeling was noted in the ipsilateral middle and outer molecular layers, followed by a substantial reappearance of immunostaining 65 days after lesion incidence. The width of the immunostained ipsilateral inner molecular layer revealed a progressive widening and by postlesion day 65 occupied about 50% of the total width of the molecular layer. Immunoelectron microscopy localized L1 to the surface of unmyelinated axons in both normal and deafferented dentate gyrus. In situ hybridization revealed L1 messenger RNA confined to neurons throughout the hippocampal formation, but did not indicate changes in L1 messenger RNA levels in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, entorhinal cortex or basal forebrain in response to unilateral entorhinal cortex lesions. Changes in L1 immunolabeling in the deafferented dentate gyrus corresponded in a spatial and temporal manner to changes of the synaptic marker synaptophysin and axonal marker phosphorylated tau. Results of the present study are most consistent with the view that L1 is expressed on reinnervating fibers after they make synaptic contacts with other structures. Thus, L1 appears to be involved in the maturation and stabilization of reinnervating fibers and consequently may play an important role in the repair process of the lesioned adult CNS.

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Neurite outgrowth on non-permissive substrates in vitro is enhanced by ectopic expression of the neural adhesion molecule L1 by mouse astrocytes.

Axonal regrowth in the lesioned central nervous system (CNS) of adult mammals is, in part, prevented by non-permissive properties of glial cells and myelin. To test if ectopic expression of the neurite outgrowth promoting recognition molecule L1 will overcome these non-permissive influences and promote neurite outgrowth, L1 was expressed in astrocytes of transgenic mice using regulatory sequences of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene. Northern blot analysis of different transgenic lines revealed different levels of transgenically expressed L1. Cultured astrocytes derived from transgenic animals displayed L1 immunoreactivity at the cell surface and in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical analysis of optic nerves from adult transgenic mice localized L1 expression to astrocytes. Expression of L1 protein by transgenic astrocytes was significantly upregulated in lesioned optic nerves. When mouse small cerebellar neurons or chick dorsal root ganglion neurons were cultured on cryosections of lesioned optic nerves or astrocyte monolayers from transgenic mice, respectively, neurite outgrowth was increased up to 400% on tissue sections and 50% on astrocytes compared with similar preparations from non-transgenic mice. The increase in neurite outgrowth on tissue sections or astrocyte monolayers from different transgenic lines was proportional to the different levels of L1 expression. Moreover, increased neurite outgrowth on these substrates was specifically inhibited by polyclonal L1 antibodies. In vivo, rescue of severed axons was enhanced in transgenic versus wild type animals, while regrowth of axons was slightly, but not significantly, increased. Together, our observations demonstrate that L1 promotes neurite outgrowth when expressed ectopically by astrocytes and that L1 is able to overcome, at least partially, the non-permissive substrate properties of differentiated CNS glial cells in vitro.

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Structural features of a close homologue of L1 (CHL1) in the mouse: a new member of the L1 family of neural recognition molecules.

We have identified a close homologue of L1 (CHL1) in the mouse. CHL1 comprises an N-terminal signal sequence, six immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, 4.5 fibronectin type III (FN)-like repeats, a transmembrane domain and a C-terminal, most likely intracellular domain of approximately 100 amino acids. CHL1 is most similar in its extracellular domain to chicken Ng-CAM (approximately 40% amino acid identity), followed by mouse L1, chicken neurofascin, chicken Nr-CAM, Drosophila neuroglian and zebrafish L1.1 (37-28% amino acid identity), and mouse F3, rat TAG-1 and rat BIG-1 (approximately 27% amino acid identity). The similarity with other members of the Ig superfamily [e.g. neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), DCC, HLAR, rse] is 16-11%. The intracellular domain is most similar to mouse and chicken Nr-CAM, mouse and rat neurofascin (approximately 60% amino acid identity) followed by chicken neurofascin and Ng-CAM, Drosophila neuroglian and zebrafish L1.1 and L1.2 (approximately 40% amino acid identity). Besides the high overall homology and conserved modular structure among previously recognized members of the L1 family (mouse/human L1/rat NILE; chicken Ng-CAM; chicken/mouse Nr-CAM; Drosophila neuroglian; zebrafish L1.1 and L1.2; chicken/mouse neurofascin/rat ankyrin-binding glycoprotein), criteria characteristic of L1 were identified with regard to the number of amino acids between positions of conserved amino acid residues defining distances within and between two adjacent Ig-like domains and FN-like repeats. These show a collinearity in the six Ig-like domains and four adjacent FN-like repeats that is remarkably conserved between L1 and molecules containing these modules (designated the L1 family cassette), including the GPI-linked forms of the F3 subgroup (mouse F3/chicken F11/human CNTN1; rat BIG-1/mouse PANG; rat TAG-1/mouse TAX-1/chicken axonin-1). The colorectal cancer molecule (DCC), previously introduced as an N-CAM-like molecule, conforms to the L1 family cassette. Other structural features of CHL 1 shared between members of the L1 family are a high degree of N-glycosidically linked carbohydrates (approximately 20% of its molecular mass), which include the HNK-1 carbohydrate structure, and a pattern of protein fragments comprising a major 185 kDa band and smaller fragments of 165 and 125 kDa. As for the other L1 family members, predominant expression of CHL1 is observed in the nervous system and at later developmental stages. In the central nervous system CHL1 is expressed by neurons, but, in contrast to L1, also by glial cells. Our findings suggest a common ancestral L1-like molecule which evolved via gene duplication to generate a diversity of structurally and functionally distinct yet similar molecules.

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Immunohistological localization of tenascin-C in the developing and regenerating retinotectal system of two amphibian species.

The expression pattern of the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C was investigated in the retinotectal system of the frog Discoglossus pictus and the salamander Pleurodeles waltl during development and optic nerve regeneration in the adult. In both species, the retina was devoid of tenascin-C immunoreactivity at all ages studied. During development, tenascin-C was distributed in a gradient in the optic nerve, with the highest immunoreactivity in the eye near part of the optic nerve. The myelin-associated glycoprotein was distributed in a gradient with opposite polarity. In Discoglossus, but not Pleurodeles, tenascin-C was detected in the anterior chiasm. In the tectum of both species, tenascin-C was observed in deep cellular and fiber layers but not in the layers receiving optic fibers or proliferative zones. The distribution patterns of tenascin-C were the same during development and in the adult, except for a disappearance of the molecule from the intraocular part of the optic nerve. After lesioning the optic nerve of adult animals, tenascin-C was strongly reexpressed in the intraocular part of the optic nerve but was only weakly upregulated in the distal optic nerve stump. In contrast, a chondroitin sulfate epitope was strongly upregulated in the distal optic nerve stump. These observations suggest that during development, tenascin-C serves as an attenuating barrier for myelinating cells in the optic nerve and contributes to the guidance of growing retinal ganglion cell axons. Due to its sustained expression in the adult, tenascin-C may have similar functions during regeneration of the lesioned adult retinotectal system.

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The extracellular matrix molecule tenascin: expression in the developing chick retinotectal system and substrate properties for retinal ganglion cell neurites in vitro.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the outgrowth of retinal ganglion cell axons in the tectum, the expression of the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin was analysed in the tectum and retina of chickens by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Tissue was analysed between embryonic days 4 and 12, just before and during the period when retinal ganglion cell axons innervate their target region, the optic tectum. In the tectum, tenascin immunoreactivity becomes detectable at the anterior pole at embryonic day 4, 2 days before retinal ganglion cell axons arrive, and spreads caudally with increasing age. At early stages, tenascin is predominantly accumulated in the stratum opticum, the zone of ingrowing retinal ganglion cell axons, and along their prospective pathway. In the stratum opticum, the molecule is associated with radial glial fibres, glial endfeet and retinal ganglion cell axons located in the immediate neighbourhood of radial glial fibres. At all ages investigated, tenascin mRNA is mainly restricted to cells located in the periventricular region, suggesting that the molecule is synthesized by radial glial cells. In the retina, tenascin is expressed by amacrine, displaced amacrine and horizontal cells but not by retinal ganglion cells. To investigate whether the accumulation of tenascin in the developing and prospective pathway of retinal ganglion cell axons may affect their rate of growth we assayed the substrate properties of tenascin for retinal ganglion cell neurites in vitro. When retinal ganglion cell suspensions from 6-day-old chick embryos were maintained on homogeneous mouse or chick tenascin/polyornithine substrates, neurite length was significantly increased when compared to polyornithine substrates at coating concentrations of 10 or 20 micrograms/ml. Higher coating concentrations (35 or 70 micrograms/ml) resulted in neurite lengths comparable to control values. Together, these observations suggest that tenascin in the developing and prospective stratum opticum might serve as a performed pathway to support growth of retinal ganglion cell axons in the tectum.

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Multiply myelinated axons in the optic nerve of mice deficient for the myelin-associated glycoprotein.

We recently reported that some retinal ganglion cell axons in mice deficient for the myelin-associated glycoprotein are concentrically surrounded by more than one myelin sheath. In the present study, we demonstrate that myelin sheaths displaced from the axon reveal a normal ultrastructure of compact myelin, with the only exception that multiple myelination of axons frequently correlates with the presence of unfused regions of major dense lines. Supernumerary sheaths terminated on other sheaths or on astrocyte cell surfaces in a pattern closely resembling the morphology of a true paranode. The thickness of compact myelin of multiply myelinated axons was significantly increased when compared with axons of similar caliber surrounded by a single myelin sheath. Our observations demonstrate that maintenance of compact myelin and paranodal regions is not dependent on direct axonal contact and that the presence of more than one concentric myelin sheath around an axon results in dysregulation of the axon-to-fiber ratio.

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The AMOG/beta 2 subunit of Na,K-ATPase is not necessary for long-term survival of telencephalic grafts.

Adhesion molecule on glia (AMOG) represents the beta 2-subunit of murine Na,K-ATPase. Mice carrying a targeted deletion of the AMOG/beta 2 gene exhibit tremor and limb paralysis at postnatal day (P) 15 and die 2 days after the onset of symptoms. The brains of these mice show edema and swelling of astrocytic end feet. However, the cause of death has remained unclear. To identify long-term consequences of AMOG/beta 2 deficiency, we have grafted parts of the embryonic telencephalic anlage of AMOG/beta 2-deficient mice into the caudoputamen of wild-type mice and analyzed the grafts up to 500 days after transplantation. Histological, immunocytochemical, and in situ hybridization techniques were applied to examine histoarchitecture, proliferation, differentiation, and long-term survival of grafts. AMOG/beta 2-deficient telencephalic grafts develop normally and form solid neural tissue that cannot be distinguished from control grafts by morphological features or with immunocytochemical stains for neuronal and glial markers. No signs of degeneration can be found. Expression analysis, however, revealed that no AMOG/beta 2 protein of possible host origin can be detected in AMOG/beta 2-deficient grafts. Graft-borne astrocytes express neither the AMOG/beta 1 nor the AMOG/beta 2 subunit of Na,K-ATPase as examined with immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. These findings indicate that AMOG/beta 2 is not necessary for long-term survival of telencephalic graft tissue.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Transient upregulation of NCAM mRNA in astrocytes in response to entorhinal cortex lesions and ischemia.

Axonal sprouting and synaptic reorganization play an important role in the adaptation of the CNS to injury. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this neuronal plasticity are poorly understood. In the present study we used in situ hybridization to examine the expression of NCAM mRNA in normal hippocampus, and in response to entorhinal cortex (EC) lesions and transient global ischemia. Both neurons and astrocytes were labeled by digoxygenin-tagged cRNA probes which recognize all three major NCAM isoforms of the adult CNS. In contrast, NCAM180-specific probes labeled only neurons in the hippocampus. After unilateral EC lesion, a transient and anatomically restricted upregulation of NCAM120/140 mRNA in reactive astrocytes in the denervated molecular layer of the dentate gyrus was observed. This increase was only present 2-4 days after the lesion whereas the GFAP mRNA increase was present up to 30 days postlesion. Following global ischemia a similar, transient increase of NCAM120/140 mRNA labeling of reactive astrocytes was observed; this increase was anatomically restricted to CA1, where neuronal loss occurred. Results suggest that the transient upregulation of NCAM120/140 mRNA in reactive astrocytes shortly after injury might be an important molecular mechanism in the cascade of events underlying neuronal plasticity in the adult CNS.

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Lack of evidence that myelin-associated glycoprotein is a major inhibitor of axonal regeneration in the CNS.

The MAG-deficient mouse was used to test whether MAG acts as a significant inhibitor of axonal regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS, as suggested by cell culture experiments. Cell spreading, neurite elongation, or growth cone collapse of different cell types in vitro was not significantly different when myelin preparations or optic nerve cryosections from either MAG-deficient or wild-type mice were used as a substrate. More importantly, the extent of axonal regrowth in lesioned optic nerve and corticospinal tract in vivo was similarly poor in MAG-deficient and wild-type mice. However, axonal regrowth increased significantly and to a similar extent in both genotypes after application of the IN-1 antibody directed against the neurite growth inhibitors NI-35 and NI-250. These observations do not support the view that MAG is a significant inhibitor of axonal regeneration in the adult CNS.

3T3 Cells↗