Herr, Seth A.Shi, LiangqinGianaris, ThomasJiao, YuchengSun, SiyuanRace, NickShapiro, ScottShi, Riyi2023-05-102023-05-102022Herr SA, Shi L, Gianaris T, et al. Critical role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 in acrolein sequestering in rat spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res. 2022;17(7):1505-1511. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.330613https://hdl.handle.net/1805/32886Lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes, such as acrolein, the most reactive aldehyde, have emerged as key culprits in sustaining post-spinal cord injury (SCI) secondary pathologies leading to functional loss. Strong evidence suggests that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), a key oxidoreductase and powerful endogenous anti-aldehyde machinery, is likely important for protecting neurons from aldehydes-mediated degeneration. Using a rat model of spinal cord contusion injury and recently discovered ALDH2 activator (Alda-1), we planned to validate the aldehyde-clearing and neuroprotective role of ALDH2. Over an acute 2 day period post injury, we found that ALDH2 expression was significantly lowered post-SCI, but not so in rats given Alda-1. This lower enzymatic expression may be linked to heightened acrolein-ALDH2 adduction, which was revealed in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. We have also found that administration of Alda-1 to SCI rats significantly lowered acrolein in the spinal cord, and reduced cyst pathology. In addition, Alda-1 treatment also resulted in significant improvement of motor function and attenuated post-SCI mechanical hypersensitivity up to 28 days post-SCI. Finally, ALDH2 was found to play a critical role in in vitro protection of PC12 cells from acrolein exposure. It is expected that the outcome of this study will broaden and enhance anti-aldehyde strategies in combating post-SCI neurodegeneration and potentially bring treatment to millions of SCI victims. All animal work was approved by Purdue Animal Care and Use Committee (approval No. 1111000095) on January 1, 2021.en-USAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalAcroleinAcrolein-lysine adductAlda-1Enzymatic catalystLipid peroxidationMitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2NeurotraumaOxidative stressReactive aldehydesSpinal cord contusionArticle