Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (11): 849-852.

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Does repair of spinal cord injury follow the evolutionary theory?

Zhicheng Zhang, Fang Li, Tiansheng Sun   

  1. PLA Institute of Orthopedics, Beijing Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700, China
  • Received:2011-11-29 Revised:2012-02-11 Online:2012-04-15 Published:2012-04-15
  • Contact: Tiansheng Sun, Master, Professor, PLA Institute of Orthopedics, Beijing Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700, China suntiansheng-@163.com
  • About author:Zhicheng Zhang☆, Studying for doctorate, Attending physician, PLA Institute of Orthopedics, Beijing Army General Hospital, Beijing 100700, China

Abstract:

Lower vertebrates, such as fish and amphibians, and higher vertebrates in embryonic development can acquire complete regeneration of complex body structures, including the spinal cord, an important part of the central nervous system. However, with species evolution and development, this regenerative capacity gradually weakens and even disappears, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We explored the differences in mechanisms of spinal cord regeneration capability between lower and higher vertebrates, investigated differences in their cellular and molecular mechanisms and between the spinal cord structures of lower vertebrates and mammals, such as rat and monkey, to search for theoretical evidence and therapeutic targets for nerve regeneration in human spinal cord.

Key words: spinal cord injury, evolutionary theory, lower vertebrates, higher vertebrates, mammals, cell transplantation