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<p>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.</p>

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Functional synaptic connectivity of engrafted spinal cord neurons with hindlimb motor circuitry in the injured spinal cord

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月24日

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  • 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

摘要

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.