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Loss of highwire Protects Against the Deleterious Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila Melanogaster

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Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Hill, Ciaran S. 
Sreedharan, Jemeen 
Loreto, Andrea 
Menon, David K. 
Coleman, Michael P. 

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is a major global cause of death and disability. Axonal injury is a major underlying mechanism of TBI and could represent a major therapeutic target. We provide evidence that targeting the axonal death pathway known as Wallerian degeneration improves outcome in a Drosophila Melanogaster model of high impact trauma. This cell-autonomous neurodegenerative pathway is initiated following axon injury, and in Drosophila, involves activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase highwire. We demonstrate that a loss-of-function mutation in the highwire gene rescues deleterious effects of a traumatic injury, including—improved functional outcomes, lifespan, survival of dopaminergic neurons, and retention of synaptic proteins. This data suggests that highwire represents a potential therapeutic target in traumatic injury.

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Keywords

Neurology, wallerian degeneration, traumatic brain injury, neuroprotection, axons, highwire

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Publisher

Frontiers Media S.A.