2026-03-30 テキサスA&M大学
A spinal cord injury breaks the flow of signals between the brain and body; researchers have identified key neurons that may help bridge that gap and restore movement.Credit: Getty Images
＜関連情報＞
- https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2026/03/30/study-identifies-key-neurons-that-can-jump-start-leg-movement-after-spinal-cord-injury/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65395-7
損傷した脊髄における移植された脊髄ニューロンと後肢運動回路との機能的なシナプス結合 Functional synaptic connectivity of engrafted spinal cord neurons with hindlimb motor circuitry in the injured spinal cord
Ashley Tucker,Angelina Baltazar,Jaclyn T. Eisdorfer,Joshua K. Thackray,Katie Vo,Hannah Thomas,Avnika Tandon,Joshua Moses,Brendan Singletary,Tucker Gillespie,Ashley Smith,Anna Pauken,Sneha Nadella,Michael Pitonak,Sunjay Letchuman,Julius Jang,Michael Totty,Frank L. Jalufka,Miriam Aceves,Andrew F. Adler,Stephen Maren,Heath Blackmon,Dylan A. McCreedy,Victoria Abraira & Jennifer N. Dulin
Nature Communications Published:24 November 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65395-7
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in significant neurological deficits, and curative therapies are lacking. Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation shows promise, as graft-derived neurons (GDNs) can integrate into host spinal cord and support axon regeneration. Here, we examined the synaptic integration of GDNs into hindlimb motor circuits in a mouse thoracic contusion SCI model. Transsynaptic tracing revealed that GDNs form synaptic connections with host motor circuits. Axon mapping showed distinct termination patterns of cholinergic and V2a interneurons within host spinal cord. Chemogenetic activation of GDNs induced muscle activity in a subset of transplanted animals, but NPC transplantation alone did not improve locomotor recovery. These findings indicate that GDNs can integrate into and modulate activity of host circuits, yet limited synaptic connectivity constrains functional recovery. Future studies should enhance graft-host connectivity and refine transplantation strategies to maximize therapeutic benefit for SCI.
