IKVAV-Containing Cell Membrane Penetrating Peptide Treatment Induces Changes in Cellular Morphology after Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

A cell membrane spanning peptide was used to increase the concentration of the IKVAV motif within damaged mouse spinal cord tissue. This peptide was injected directly to the lesion 24 hours after spinal cord compression injury. Because the membrane-spanning portion of the peptide adheres to tissue upon injection with a long half-life we hypothesized that the bioactive IKVAV sequence will provide a sustained regenerative signal at the sight of injury. Five different groups of mice were used and cellular morphology observations were undertaken using light and electron microscopy. Three surgical control groups: IKVAV, peptide and mannitol; one surgical treatment group: IKVAV-peptide; and one non-surgical control group: normal, were used in this experiment. In this study, treatment with IKVAV-peptide after SCI resulted in an increased number of protoplasmic astrocytes, large active motor neurons, and regeneration of muscle bundles followed by behavioral improvement. In this paper, we describe the cellular differences between all groups.