Mast cell proteases (MCPs) as key players in reestablishing a functional blood vessel network after spinal cord injury. (R-4653)

Disruption of the blood-spinal cord barrier and microvascular changes impairing the blood supply to the nervous tissue represent hallmarks of spinal cord injury (SCI). Endogenous angiogenesis takes place but typically fails to restore the vascular bed at the injury site. This leaves the damaged nervous tissue without proper vascularization, which impairs self-repair and implemented repair strategies. For many years, mast cells (MCs) have been associated with angiogenic processes. In particular, MC proteases (MCPs) can promote blood vessel sprouting by paving the way through the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the complex contribution of endogenous MCs and their proteases to restorative angiogenesis and revascularization has never been investigated in the context of SCI. Published data from our research group already indicated that MCPs act as key enzymes in neuroregenerative processes after CNS trauma. In this project, we attempt to unravel the effects of endogenous and therapeutically administered MCPs in the regulation of revascularization processes after SCI. Therefore, we will investigate whether MCPs, in combination with growth factor-stimulated aortic tissue transplanted in the lesion site, will improve blood vessel growth and the reestablishment of the vascular architecture in the spinal cord. These results will further elucidate the relationship between angiogenesis and neuroregeneration in CNS injury and will uncover the therapeutic potential of MCPs to improve clinical outcome after SCI.

Keywords:SPINAL CORD INJURY

Disciplines:Morphological sciences, Orthopaedics, Surgery, Nursing