Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39630029›Full record

ArticleAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2025

GFRα1 Promotes Axon Regeneration after Peripheral Nerve Injury by Functioning as a Ligand.

Tomoaki Suzuki, Ken Kadoya, Takeshi Endo, Miwako Yamasaki, Masahiko Watanabe, Norimasa Iwasaki

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. GFRα1 Promotes Axon Regeneration after Peripheral Nerve Injury by Functioning as a Ligand.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2025
    Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tomoaki SuzukiDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.
Ken KadoyaDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5432-3866
Takeshi EndoDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.
Miwako YamasakiDepartment of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.
Masahiko WatanabeDepartment of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.
Norimasa IwasakiDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 0608638, Japan.

Funding

General Insurance Association of JapanGrant-in-Aid for Scientific Research 23K15730Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research 24K02348Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research 24K19601Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development JP21gm6210004Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development JP22zf01270004h0002Kobayashi FoundationSEI Group CSR Foundation
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The neurotrophic factor, Glial cell line derived neurotrophi factor (GDNF), exerts a variety of biological effects through binding to its receptors, GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα1), and RET. However, the existence of cells expressing GFRα1 but not RET raises the possibility that GFRα1 can function independently from RET. Here, it is shown that GFRα1 released from repair Schwann cells (RSCs) functions as a ligand in a GDNF-RET-independent manner to promote axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Local administration of GFRα1 into injured nerve promoted axon regeneration, even more when combined with GDNF blockade. GFRα1 bound to a receptor complex consisting of NCAM and integrin α7β1 of dorsal root ganglion neurons in a GDNF-RET independent manner. This is further confirmed by the Ret Y1062F knock-in mice, which cannot transmit most of GDNF-RET signaling. Finally, local administration of GFRα1 into injured sciatic nerve promoted functional recovery. These findings reveal a novel role of GFRα1 as a ligand, the molecular mechanism supporting axon regeneration by RSCs, and a novel therapy for peripheral nerve repair.

Indexed as

AxonsGlial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ReceptorsNerve RegenerationPeripheral Nerve InjuriesAnimalsGanglia, SpinalGlial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic FactorLigandsMiceProto-Oncogene Proteins c-retRatsSchwann CellsGfra1 protein, mouseGlial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic FactorGlial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ReceptorsLigandsProto-Oncogene Proteins c-retaxon regenerationGDNF family receptorperipheral nerve injuryrepair schwann cells

Identifiers

PMID39630029
PMCPMC11775530

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.