Expression of Hyaluronidase-4 in a Rat Spinal Cord Hemisection Model.
- Author:
Yoshiyuki TACHI
1
;
Tetsuhito OKUDA
;
Norio KAWAHARA
;
Nobuo KATO
;
Yasuhito ISHIGAKI
;
Tadami MATSUMOTO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Spinal cord injury; Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans; Hyaluronidase
- MeSH: Animals; Axons; Bacteria; Blotting, Western; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; Cordotomy; Digestion; Frozen Sections; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; Rats*; Regeneration; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord*
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2015;9(1):7-13
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: STUDY DESIGN: Examination of hyaluronidase-4 (Hyal-4) expression in a rat spinal cord hemisection model. PURPOSE: To determine the status of Hyal-4 expression after hemisection of the spinal cord, and the relationship between its expression and that of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: CSPGs are expressed at the site of spinal cord injury and inhibit axon regeneration. Administration of exogenous chrondroitinase ABC (ChABC), derived from bacteria, digested CSPGs and promoted axonal regrowth. Using a rat hemisection model, we have demonstrated peak CSPGs levels at by 3 weeks after injury but then decreased spontaneously. Could there be an endogenous enzyme similar to ChABC in the spinal cord? It has been suggested that Hyal-4 is involved in CSPG degradation. METHODS: A rat hemisection model was prepared and spinal cord frozen sections were prepared at 4 days and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks post-cordotomy and stained for CSPGs and Hyal-4 and subjected to Western blotting. RESULTS: CSPGs appeared at the injury site at 4 days after hemisection, reached a peak after 3 weeks, and then decreased. Hyal-4 was observed around the injury site from 4 days after cordotomy and increased until after 5-6 weeks. Double staining showed Hyal-4 around CSPGs. Western blotting identified a band corresponding to Hyal-4 from 4 days after hemisection. CONCLUSIONS: Hyal-4 was expressed in a rat hemisection model in areas surrounding CSPGs, and as its peak was delayed compared with that of CSPGs. These results suggest the involvement of Hyal-4 in the digestion of CSPGs.
