Pantothenic acid-mediated inhibition of microglial inflammation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway enhances motor function recovery after Spinal cord injury

Abstract

This study employed transcriptome sequencing and targeted metabolomics to delve into the molecular alterations in mouse spinal cords following spinal cord injury (SCI). Notably, a significant depletion of pantothenic acid (PA) was observed in the injured spinal cord, exhibiting an inverse correlation with microglial inflammation and activation. To further elucidate this relationship, experimental interventions using PA were conducted in SCI mouse models. The results demonstrated that PA administration effectively inhibited microglial inflammation via modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. This inhibition not only mitigated the neuroinflammatory milieu but also fostered an environment conducive to axonal growth and neuronal regeneration. Consequently, SCI mice treated with PA exhibited improved motor function recovery compared to untreated controls. Our findings not only deepen the understanding of the relationship between PA and neuroinflammatory processes in SCI but also highlight the therapeutic potential of PA in promoting neuronal regeneration and functional recovery.