Spinal Cord Injury Inhibits the Differentiation and Maturation of NG2 Cells in the Cerebellum in Mice

OBJECTIVE: Neuroimaging studies have shown that spinal cord injury (SCI) may lead to significant brain changes that are the key factors affecting functional recovery. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular biological mechanisms of these brain changes. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular and cellular biological changes in the cerebellum after SCI. METHODS: A total of 72 mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: sham group and SCI group. A mouse model of SCI was established by an aneurysm clip. Pathological examinations of the injured site were performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical. Western blot and immunohistochemical were used to determine the effect of SCI on the differentiation and maturation of NG2 cells. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, the spinal cord tissue structure was disrupted and the motor function decreased significantly in the SCI group; the number of NG2 cells in the ansiform lobule crus I increased on the 7th and 14th days, whereas the expression of oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, myelin basic protein, and proteolipid protein decreased on the 7th and 14th days after SCI. These results showed that the differentiation and maturation of NG2 cells in the ansiform lobule crus I were inhibited after SCI, resulting in the decrease of the formation of mature oligodendrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that SCI can lead to secondary changes in the cerebellum, which may affect the functional recovery. These findings may be used as biomarkers to evaluate the secondary changes in the brain after SCI.