The article reports on new research from the Becker team that reveals a previously unknown role for a specific subgroup of neutrophils in the immune response following spinal cord injury. Contrary to the traditional view of neutrophils as primarily responsible for debris cleanup, this study demonstrates that these immune cells actively coordinate the immune response, shifting it away from damaging inflammation toward conditions that support regeneration. The key signal involved in this process is the molecule Il-4.

The researchers utilized larval zebrafish, known for their ability to regenerate damaged spinal cords, to investigate the influence of neutrophils and Il-4 on healing. They found that inactivating the specific neutrophil subgroup led to an unbalanced immune response characterized by excessive inflammatory proteins, hindering nerve fiber regrowth and movement recovery. Conversely, direct application of Il-4 to the injury site suppressed inflammation and enabled perfect spinal cord regeneration, even in the absence of neutrophils. The study underscores the critical, active role of neutrophils in successful spinal cord repair and highlights Il-4 as a pivotal signal in modulating the immune environment to facilitate regeneration. [Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260906170136.htm]

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