Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Columbus-based The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center researchers analyzed the cause of immune suppression in people with high-level spinal cord injuries, according to Medical Xpress.
Nature Neuroscience published the study online on April 18.
Here are seven observations:
1. SCI higher than thoracic level 5 cause autonomic nervous system circuitry, impacting bodily functions like breathing, heartbeat and digestion.
2. The researchers found abnormal nervous system circuitry begins to form as the body reacts to SCI. Ultimately, this activates an anti-inflammatory and immune suppressive reflex.
3. Patients with high-level SCI often experience severe complications from common infections.
4. The researchers tested chemogenetic agents in mouse models to find a treatment. Chemogenetics possess the ability to exert selective pharmacologic control over cell-signaling processes.
5. In the mouse models, the researchers used chemogenetics to stop signaling transmission from interneurons that trigger the immune suppression reflex.
6. The researchers successfully controlled the neurons because the forming nerves had specific genetic signatures. They reversed the immune suppressive reflex.
7. The researchers reported they are years away from human trials.