The sea lamprey GABAB receptor. Changes after spinal cord injury and its role in axonal regeneration

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes irreversible loss of function. In contrast to mammals, lampreys show an amazing capacity for spontaneous recovery after a complete SCI. They provide an interesting model to understand the molecular processes that lead to spontaneous recovery. In this study, we analysed the changes in the expression of both gabab subunits after a complete SCI. Our results showed that plastic changes in this system probably contribute to the recovery of function after SCI in lampreys. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations revealed that endogenous GABA acting through GABAB receptors promotes axonal regeneration of descending neurons after a complete SCI in lampreys.