Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Inhibition of glial proliferation, promotion of axonal growth and myelin production by synthetic glycolipid: A new approach for spinal cord injury treatment.
After spinal cord injury (SCI) a glial scar is generated in the area affected that forms a barrier for axon growth and myelination, preventing functional recovery. Recently, we have described a synthetic glycolipid (IG20) that inhibited proliferation of human glioma cells. We show now that IG20 inhibited the proliferation of astrocytes and microglial cells, the principal cellular components of the glial scar, and promoting axonal outgrowth and myelin production in vitro. ⋯ We propose that inhibition of astrocytes and microglia by IG20 could be diminished the glial scar formation, inducing the re-growth and myelination of axons, these elements constitute a new approach for SCI therapy.