A CXCR4 receptor agonist strongly stimulates axonal regeneration after damage.

Imaging and electrophysiological data provide novel and compelling evidence that the CXCL12α-CXCR4 axis is involved in sciatic nerve repair after crush/cut. This makes NUCC-390 a strong candidate molecule to stimulate nerve repair by promoting axonal elongation. We propose this molecule to be tested in other models of neuronal damage, to lay the basis for clinical trials on the efficacy of NUCC-390 in peripheral nerve repair in humans.