Affiliations: Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Department of
Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2
2PY, UK
Note: [] Corresponding author: James Fawcett, Cambridge Centre for Brain
Repair, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2PY, UK. Tel.: +44 1223 331188; Fax: +44
1223 331174; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: After injury to the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), neurons
are not able to regenerate their axons and recovery is limited by restricted
plasticity. Axon regeneration is inhibited by the presence of the various
inhibitory molecules, including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) which
are upregulated around the injury site. Plasticity after the end of critical
periods is restricted by extracellular matrix changes, particularly the
formation of CSPG-containing perineuronal nets. Enzymatic removal of
chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains with chondroitinase ABC promotes axon
regeneration and reactivates plasticity. This review details the structures and
properties of the different CSPGs in the normal and damaged CNS, the use of the
enzyme chondroitinase ABC to promote neural regeneration and plasticity, and
discusses mechanisms of action and possible therapeutic uses of this
enzyme.
