{"title":"Ganglioside GT1b prevents selective spinal synapse removal following peripheral nerve injury.","authors":"Jaesung Lee, Kyungchul Noh, Subeen Lee, Kwang Hwan Kim, Seohyun Chung, Hyoungsub Lim, Minkyu Hwang, Joon-Hyuk Lee, Won-Suk Chung, Sunghoe Chang, Sung Joong Lee","doi":"10.1038/s44319-025-00452-2","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After peripheral nerve injury, the structure of the spinal cord is actively regulated by glial cells, contributing to the chronicity of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanism by which peripheral nerve injury leads to synaptic imbalance remains elusive. Here, we use a pH-reporter system and find that nerve injury triggers a reorganization of excitatory synapses that is influenced by the accumulation of the ganglioside GT1b at afferent terminals. GT1b acts as a protective signal against nerve injury-induced spinal synapse elimination. Inhibition of GT1b-synthesis increases glial phagocytosis of excitatory pre-synapses and reduces excitatory synapses post-injury. In vitro analyses reveal a positive correlation between GT1b accumulation and the frequency of pre-synaptic calcium activity, with GT1b-mediated suppression of glial phagocytosis occurring through SYK dephosphorylation. Our study highlights GT1b's pivotal role in preventing synapse elimination after nerve injury and offers new insight into the molecular underpinning of activity-dependent synaptic stability and glial phagocytosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":11541,"journal":{"name":"EMBO Reports","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"EMBO Reports","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-025-00452-2","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
After peripheral nerve injury, the structure of the spinal cord is actively regulated by glial cells, contributing to the chronicity of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanism by which peripheral nerve injury leads to synaptic imbalance remains elusive. Here, we use a pH-reporter system and find that nerve injury triggers a reorganization of excitatory synapses that is influenced by the accumulation of the ganglioside GT1b at afferent terminals. GT1b acts as a protective signal against nerve injury-induced spinal synapse elimination. Inhibition of GT1b-synthesis increases glial phagocytosis of excitatory pre-synapses and reduces excitatory synapses post-injury. In vitro analyses reveal a positive correlation between GT1b accumulation and the frequency of pre-synaptic calcium activity, with GT1b-mediated suppression of glial phagocytosis occurring through SYK dephosphorylation. Our study highlights GT1b's pivotal role in preventing synapse elimination after nerve injury and offers new insight into the molecular underpinning of activity-dependent synaptic stability and glial phagocytosis.
期刊介绍:
EMBO Reports is a scientific journal that specializes in publishing research articles in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental biology. The journal is known for its commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research that provides novel physiological and functional insights. These insights are expected to be supported by robust evidence, with independent lines of inquiry validating the findings.
The journal's scope includes both long and short-format papers, catering to different types of research contributions. It values studies that:
Communicate major findings: Articles that report significant discoveries or advancements in the understanding of biological processes at the molecular, cellular, and developmental levels.
Confirm important findings: Research that validates or supports existing knowledge in the field, reinforcing the reliability of previous studies.
Refute prominent claims: Studies that challenge or disprove widely accepted ideas or hypotheses in the biosciences, contributing to the correction and evolution of scientific understanding.
Present null data: Papers that report negative results or findings that do not support a particular hypothesis, which are crucial for the scientific process as they help to refine or redirect research efforts.
EMBO Reports is dedicated to maintaining high standards of scientific rigor and integrity, ensuring that the research it publishes contributes meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge in the life sciences. By covering a broad spectrum of topics and encouraging the publication of both positive and negative results, the journal plays a vital role in promoting a comprehensive and balanced view of scientific inquiry.