Activity-induced changes in the liver transcriptome after chronic spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating clinical condition resulting in significant disabilities for affected individuals. Apart from local injury within the spinal cord, SCI patients develop a myriad of complications characterized by multi-organ dysfunction. Disorders, such as lung injury, cardiovascular disease, liver damage, kidney and urinary tract dysfunction, alterations in gut microbiome, neuropathic pain, depression and altered immune responses are common in SCI patients. Such whole body, systemic responses hinder the functional recovery and can be life-threatening in SCI population. Investigations of organ specific gene expression analyses can provide a better understanding of the injury response and identify molecular targets. Consequently, this can be used to develop treatment for SCI, promoting functional recovery and overall quality of life.脊髓损伤（Spinal cord injury, SCI）是一种毁灭性的临床病症，会导致患者出现严重残疾。除脊髓局部损伤外，脊髓损伤患者还会出现以多器官功能障碍为特征的多种并发症。临床常见的并发症包括肺损伤、心血管疾病、肝损伤、肾与尿路功能障碍、肠道菌群改变、神经病理性疼痛、抑郁以及免疫应答异常等。这类全身性的机体反应会阻碍功能恢复，甚至对脊髓损伤患者构成生命威胁。针对器官特异性基因表达的分析研究，能够帮助我们更好地理解损伤应答机制，并识别潜在的分子靶点。据此可开发脊髓损伤的治疗方案，促进患者的功能恢复与整体生活质量提升。