NG2 and phosphacan are present in the astroglial scar after human traumatic spinal cord injury

One major class of growth-inhibitory molecules associated with CNS scar tissue is the family of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs). These proteins are expressed throughout the developing and adult CNS and are associated with several growth-associated extracellular molecules. Following SCI in experimental animals, pharmacological interventions involving the degradation of lesion-induced CSPGs demonstrated a substantially enhanced regeneration of lesioned axons into and beyond the injury site and a significant functional recovery by treated animals. Experimental investigations into the role of individual m…