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Review
. 2021 Feb 3;41(5):845-854.
doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1654-20.2020. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Spinal Interneurons as Gatekeepers to Neuroplasticity after Injury or Disease

Lyandysha V Zholudeva  1 , Victoria E Abraira  2 , Kajana Satkunendrarajah  3   4 , Todd C McDevitt  5   6 , Martyn D Goulding  7 , David S K Magnuson  8 , Michael A Lane  9
Affiliations
Review

Spinal Interneurons as Gatekeepers to Neuroplasticity after Injury or Disease

Lyandysha V Zholudeva et al. J Neurosci. .

Abstract

Spinal interneurons are important facilitators and modulators of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions in the intact CNS. This heterogeneous population of neurons is now widely appreciated to be a key component of plasticity and recovery. This review highlights our current understanding of spinal interneuron heterogeneity, their contribution to control and modulation of motor and sensory functions, and how this role might change after traumatic spinal cord injury. We also offer a perspective for how treatments can optimize the contribution of interneurons to functional improvement.

Keywords: interneuron; plasticity; propriospinal; spinal cord.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A multivariate approach for interneuronal profiling includes molecular (transcription factor expression), morphologic, electrophysiological, neuroanatomical (connectivity), and neurochemical (receptor phenotype) classification. Interneurons can be molecularly classified as part of dorsal and ventral “cardinal classes” (dI1-6, V0-3; see key), laminae location, and efferent innervation. The subclasses depicted here are not exhaustive, and the complexity of SpIN diversity is beyond the scope of this schematic. LTMR, Low-threshold mechanoreceptors; LTMR-RZ, low-threshold mechanoreceptor recipient zone; I-X, Rexed laminae I-X. Color scheme reflects neuronal classes described in the key.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The intermediate spinal cord receives convergent information from proprioceptors (innervating muscles) and cutaneous receptors located on the soles of feet and joints (also known as low-threshold mechanoreceptors [LTMRs]). Current efforts are centered on understanding the functional logic of the spinal cord networks that bridge cutaneous/proprioceptive sensory information with motor centers of the spinal cord ventral horn and how these contribute to SCI recovery. RA, rapidly adapting; SA, slowly adapting; I-X, Rexed laminae I-X.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A, Plasticity of descending (i) and spinal interneuronal (ii) networks after SCI (iii). Axons from both descending (iv) and ascending (v) interneuronal pathways can undergo sprouting and form new connections, establishing a new anatomy after SCI. B, A schematic representation of anatomic reorganization of spinal networks caudal to injury. Black, green, and blue represent supraspinal, spinal, and sprouting axons, respectively. Colored circles represent diversity of SpIN subtypes. Adapted from Zholudeva et al. (2018a).
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