Effects of chemogenetic virus injection and clozapine administration in spinal cord injury

Abstract

Neuromodulation therapy using chemogenetic stimulation has shown potential in enhancing motor recovery and neuroregeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI). These therapeutic benefits are hypothesized to result from the promotion of neuroplasticity, particularly when administered during the acute phase of injury. In this study, we investigated the effects of chemogenetic stimulation using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs) in conjunction with clozapine, a ligand for receptor activation. DREADDs enable targeted, reversible neuromodulation, facilitating the histological characterization of engineered neurons. We utilized these receptors to modulate G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways, leading to the activation or inhibition of intracellular signaling. The objective was to determine whether the administration of DREADDs and clozapine (0.1 ​mg/kg) could enhance motor function and neuronal recovery, particularly when applied during the acute phase of SCI. Weekly behavioral assessments demonstrated significant improvements in motor skills and neuronal regeneration in treated animals compared to controls, with the most pronounced effects observed when stimulation was initiated early after injury. These enhancements in neuroplasticity were reflected in improved ladder rung test scores and Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale results in DREADDs-treated rats. Histological analyses, including immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, Western blotting, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), confirmed that the treatment group exhibited a higher density of neurons, increased signaling protein expression, and reduced inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that chemogenetic stimulation, particularly when administered during the acute phase, effectively promotes neuroregeneration and motor recovery. Future research should focus on assessing the long-term safety and efficacy of chemogenetic virus injection and clozapine administration, with an emphasis on the timing of intervention.