Open AccessMicroglia and macrophages promote corralling, wound compaction and recovery after spinal cord injury via Plexin-B2
Author(s) -
Xiang Zhou,
Shalaka Wahane,
Marie-Sophie Friedl,
Michael Kluge,
Caroline C. Friedel,
Kleopatra Avrampou,
Venetia Zachariou,
Lei Guo,
Bin Zhang,
Xijing He,
Roland H. Friedel,
Hongyan Zou
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nature neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 13.403
H-Index - 422
eISSN - 1546-1726
pISSN - 1097-6256
DOI - 10.1038/s41593-020-0597-7
Subject(s) - microglia , plexin , wound healing , spinal cord injury , neuroscience , axon , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroinflammation , semaphorin , immune system , axon guidance , spinal cord , biology , inflammation , immunology , receptor , biochemistry
Tissue repair after spinal cord injury requires the mobilization of immune and glial cells to form a protective barrier that seals the wound and facilitates debris clearing, inflammatory containment and matrix compaction. This process involves corralling, wherein phagocytic immune cells become confined to the necrotic core, which is surrounded by an astrocytic border. Here we elucidate a temporally distinct gene signature in injury-activated microglia and macrophages (IAMs) that engages axon guidance pathways. Plexin-B2 is upregulated in IAMs and is required for motor sensory recovery after spinal cord injury. Plexin-B2 deletion in myeloid cells impairs corralling, leading to diffuse tissue damage, inflammatory spillover and hampered axon regeneration. Corralling begins early and requires Plexin-B2 in both microglia and macrophages. Mechanistically, Plexin-B2 promotes microglia motility, steers IAMs away from colliding cells and facilitates matrix compaction. Our data therefore establish Plexin-B2 as an important link that integrates biochemical cues and physical interactions of IAMs with the injury microenvironment during wound healing.