Daniela Castano Correa

Medical Student

• Spinal cord scar tissue comes from pericytes, not glial

cells.

• Cells related to cancer have an altered stiffness.• Tension exerted on cells

activate other proteins hyperactive in

cancer.

Central nervous system (CNS) damage results in scar tissue formation.

Scar tissue causes functional impairment.

Scientists have tried to renew scar tissue damage in the CNS.

Most scar cells in the damaged spinal cord derive from pericytes, not glial cells as previously thought.

 

Spinal cord

Pericytes are a small group of cells found along blood vessels.

They are necessary to regain tissue integrity.

 

Pericyte

Pericytes divide after an injury and increase connective tissue cells that migrate towards the lesion to form scar tissue.

In the absence of pericytes, holes appear in the tissue instead of scarring.

Neuron

Thanks to this study, scientists can now

concentrate on these specific cells to attempt to find

different ways to repair the nerve system in the case of paralysis, which is unknown today. In addition, this study demonstrates how theories and concepts once believed can change at any moment, which causes studies to shift

their direction to obtain results.

Cell stiffness and tension activates a cycle that causes larger tumor formation.

Rigid tumors shed cells that leave the original tumor site and may cause metastasis.

The team of scientists placed magnetic particles to cells and used magnets to exert force on the cells to create extracellular tension.

Mechanical force applied on a cell and proteins activates Rho GEF proteins.

Rho proteins are part of the RAS super family, proteins that tend to be hyperactive and are associated with cancer.

Pancreatic cancer cells

The pathway between cell tension and the activation of proteins was identified.

It has been demonstrated, the stiffer the cell matrix, the worse the prognosis.

CANCER CELLS

In my opinion, this study takes scientists one step closer to

identifying specific characteristics in cells linked to cancer, one the main causes of

worldwide mortality. Today, cancer treatments are not

100% effective. This study can lead to the discovery of cancer

impediment, in this case, perhaps targeting cells that have a stiffer matrix to stop the cycle that allows tumor

growth in order to stop cancer at an early stage.

 

The discovery of pericytes in scar tissue may bring scientists a step closer to find a new mechanism that may lead to the discovery of a functional recovery treatment of the spinal cord, one which is not available today.

UNEXPECTED CELL REPAIRS THE INJURED SPINAL CORD

This study positively contributes to the future of those patients with accumulation of scar tissue by preventing the spread to other regions and cause secondary damage and paralysis in a more severe case.

UNEXPECTED CELL REPAIRS THE INJURED SPINAL CORD

Animal cell

Cell rigidity and the activation of certain proteins that are linked to cancer can help scientists get closer to an effective treatment to stop metastasis from occurring after its onset.

 

CELL RIGIDITY LINKED TO ACTIVITY IN PROTEINS

ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER

This study can incite scientists to create new experiments to obtain more information that in the future could help patients with cancer and those with a high risk of developing the disease.

CELL RIGIDITY LINKED TO ACTIVITY IN PROTEINS

ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER

Gartner LP, Hiatt JL. Texto Atlas de Histología. Third Edition. Mexico. 2007. pg 261

Science. ‘’Cell Rigidity Linked to Activity in Proteins Associated With Cancer’’. ScienceDaily. July 15, 2011.

Science. ‘Unexpected Cell Repairs the Injured Spinal Cord’’. ScienceDaily. July 12, 2011.