TIME-DEPENDENT ADAPTATIONS OF DAMAGED NEURONS AND THEIR MICROENVIRONMENT IN THE REGENERATING ADULT ZEBRAFISH SPINAL CORD

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides essential structural and biochemical support for neuronal function. Yet, its precise role in neuronal function following spinal cord injury and during regeneration remains poorly understood, particularly in the context of adult zebrafish, which exhibit remarkable regenerative capacity. Here, we investigate the intricate crosstalk between neuronal plasticity and ECM remodeling in response to spinal cord injury. Our findings reveal a precise and stereotypic temporal coordination between ECM restructuring and neuronal adaptations. Disrupting ECM remodeling through enzymatic digestion alters neuronal properties and the regenerative process, highlighting the critical role of ECM dynamics in shaping neuronal function. We propose a mechanistic framework in which glutamate signaling and ECM deposition cooperate to orchestrate spinal cord repair, ensuring functional recovery. These insights advance our understanding of the cellular and extracellular determinants of successful spinal cord regeneration and may inform the development of therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury.