• Eur Spine J · Jul 2023

    The neuro-protective role of telomerase via TERT/TERF-2 in the acute phase of spinal cord injury.

    • Dong-Gune Chang, Jang-Woon Kim, Hong Jin Kim, Young-Hoon Kim, Sang-Il Kim, and Kee-Yong Ha.
    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
    • Eur Spine J. 2023 Jul 1; 32 (7): 243124402431-2440.

    PurposeTo investigate the interaction of telomerase activity and telomere length on neuro-protection or neuro-degeneration effects after spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsA contusive SCI model was developed using 56 Sprague-Dawley rats. Seven rats were allocated into acute injury phase groups (1, 3, 8, 24, and 48 h), and sub-acute and chronic injury phase groups (1, 2, and 4 weeks). Telomerase activity was assessed by telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomeric repeat binding factor-2 (TERF-2). Differentiation of activated neural stem cells was investigated by co-expression of neuronal/glial cell markers. Apoptosis expression was also investigated by caspase-3, 8, and 9 using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling staining. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were performed for quantitative analyses.ResultsExpression of TERT increased gradually until 24 h post-injury, and was decreased following SCI (P < 0.05). TERF-2 also was increased following SCI until 24 h post-injury and then decreased with time (P < 0.05). Co-localization of TERT and TERF-2 was higher at 24 h post-injury. High expression of TERT was seen in neurons (Neu N Ab), however, expression of TERT was relatively lower in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Apoptosis analysis showed persistent high expression of caspases-3, -9, and -8 during the observation period.ConclusionsIncreased TERT and TERF-2 activity were noted 24 h post-injury in the acute phase of SCI with TERF-2 maintaining telomeric-repeat length. Our results suggest that increased activity of telomere maintenance may be related to neuro-protective mechanisms against subsequent apoptosis resulting from DNA damage after acute SCI.© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

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