School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Animal Model Exp Med. 2024 Oct;7(5):758-768. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12484. Epub 2024 Sep 18.
Spinal cord injury presents a significant burden globally, with traumatic spinal cord injury being the predominant cause historically. However, nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) is emerging as a significant contributor, particularly in developed nations, yet it remains poorly understood due to underreporting and misclassification. NTSCI, spanning various etiologies such as bony growths, vascular conditions, infections, neoplastic conditions, and immune disorders, poses unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment, often resulting in lifelong morbidity. This study addresses the lack of suitable animal models for NTSCI research, especially in neonatal animals.
Utilizing a solid spacer approach, we developed a compression NTSCI model applicable to both neonatal and adult Sprague-Dawley rats.
Through anatomical measurements and in vivo experiments, we confirmed the feasibility and safety of the spacer insertion procedure and observed no acute off-target effects.
The versatility of this model lies in its adaptability to different ages of rats, offering a cost-effective and reproducible means to induce graded injuries. Moreover, behavioral assessments demonstrated observable hindlimb function, validating the model's utility for studying functional outcomes. Although challenges persist, particularly in accounting for spinal column growth in neonatal animals, this model fills a crucial gap in pediatric NTSCI research. By providing a platform to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms and test potential treatments, it offers promising avenues for advancing our understanding and management of pediatric NTSCI.
脊髓损伤在全球范围内造成了巨大负担，创伤性脊髓损伤一直是主要病因。然而，非创伤性脊髓损伤（NTSCI）正在成为一个重要的致病因素，尤其是在发达国家，但由于报告不足和分类错误，人们对其仍知之甚少。NTSCI 涉及多种病因，如骨生长、血管状况、感染、肿瘤和免疫紊乱，在诊断和治疗方面带来独特挑战，常导致终身发病。本研究旨在解决 NTSCI 研究中缺乏合适动物模型的问题，特别是在新生儿动物中。
我们采用固体间隔物方法，为新生和成年 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠开发了一种可应用于 NTSCI 的压缩模型。
通过解剖学测量和体内实验，我们证实了间隔物插入程序的可行性和安全性，未观察到急性脱靶效应。
该模型的多功能性在于其适应不同年龄大鼠的能力，提供了一种经济有效的、可重现的方法来诱导分级损伤。此外，行为评估显示出可观察到的后肢功能，验证了该模型在研究功能结果方面的效用。尽管仍存在挑战，特别是在解释新生儿动物脊柱生长方面，但该模型填补了儿科 NTSCI 研究中的关键空白。通过提供一个研究病理生理机制和测试潜在治疗方法的平台，为我们理解和管理儿科 NTSCI 提供了有前途的途径。
