Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are extracellular matrix structures surrounding neuronal sub-populations throughout the central nervous system, regulating plasticity. Enzymatically removing PNNs successfully enhances plasticity and thus functional recovery, particularly in spinal cord injury models. While PNNs within various brain regions are well studied, much of the composition and associated populations in the spinal cord is yet unknown. We aim to investigate the populations of PNN neurones involved in this functional motor recovery. Immunohistochemistry for choline acetyltransferase (labelling motoneurones), PNNs using Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), including aggrecan, was performed to characterise the molecular heterogeneity of PNNs in rat spinal motoneurones (Mns). CSPG-positive PNNs surrounded ~70-80% of Mns. Using WFA, only ~60% of the CSPG-positive PNNs co-localised with WFA in the spinal Mns, while ~15-30% of Mns showed CSPG-positive but WFA-negative PNNs. Selective labelling revealed that aggrecan encircled ~90% of alpha Mns. The results indicate that (1) aggrecan labels spinal PNNs better than WFA, and (2) there are differences in PNN composition and their associated neuronal populations between the spinal cord and cortex. Insights into the role of PNNs and their molecular heterogeneity in the spinal motor pools could aid in designing targeted strategies to enhance functional recovery post-injury.

• Klíčová slova
• alpha motoneurone, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans, gamma motoneurone, perineuronal nets, spinal cord,
• MeSH
• cholin-O-acetyltransferasa metabolismus   MeSH
• chondroitinsulfát proteoglykany metabolismus   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mícha cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• motorické neurony cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• neuroplasticita MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cholin-O-acetyltransferasa MeSH
• chondroitinsulfát proteoglykany MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny MeSH