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A study involving the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) gets a molecule that could serve to regenerate neurons. The work, led by the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona, has achieved a compound that in vitro growing axons of injured neurons in mice. This substance could be used in future to design new drugs that promote axonal regeneration in spinal cord injuries. The work has also engaged the University of Barcelona.

Axons, extensions of nerve cells through which nerve impulses travel, allowing the connection of neuron to neuron and the execution of orders from the brain to the muscles. One of the main problems of the nervous system of an adult is the inability of regenerating axons when they suffer an injury.

During embryonic development, axons grow to a certain length, guided by a series of molecules. One is Semaforina 3A (Sema 3A), which acts as a chemical barrier that prevents axon passes where it is present. In addition, Sema 3A drives the axon to the opposite direction. This ensures that the neuronal growth takes place in an appropriate manner.

When the nervous system is formed, the presence of this molecule in the body is very low, but when a lesion reappears. In this context, the action of Sema 3A, together with other molecules, is an obstacle to the regeneration of axons and neurons regain communication.

To combat Sema 3A, the researchers have created the molecule SICHI (Semaphorin Inhibitor Induced Chemorepulsion), which disables the presence of the molecule when an injury occurs. If this chemical barrier is removed, the axon can form a new growth cone.

Scientists have identified SICHI of 10,648 molecules of a chemical. SICHI prevents the binding of Sema 3A with its cellular receptor and prevents the cascade of subsequent events which prevent elongation of axons. Besides describing the biological action of SICHI, researchers have also found the optimal dose required for maximum efficiency of the compound without causing cell death.

CSIC researcher and director of the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (CSIC), Angel Messeguer, said the potential impact of the compound applied, "We are at a very initial research and it is too early to move more results, but Sema 3A might be a good therapeutic target for treating spinal cord injuries. Now, after checking in vitro, we have to take another step and see if the compound works well in mouse models in vivo.

The research, conducted by researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona Eduardo Soriano, has also involved researchers from the same center and the University of Barcelona, José Antonio del Río.