Department of Molecular Biology and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
Xiaolong Du
Department of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Chen Chen
Department of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Xiao-Ming Xu
Department of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Chun-Li Zhang
Department of Molecular Biology and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Corresponding author
Wei Wu
Department of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Corresponding author
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to neuronal loss, axonal degeneration, and behavioral dysfunction. We recently show that in vivo reprogramming of NG2 glia produces new neurons, reduces glial scaring, and ultimately leads to improved function after SCI. By examining endogenous neurons, we here unexpectedly uncover that NG2 glia reprogramming also induces robust axonal regeneration of the corticospinal tract and serotonergic neurons. Such reprogramming-induced axonal regeneration may contribute to the reconstruction of neural networks essential for behavioral recovery.
