The study investigates the role of astrocyte scar formation in the regeneration of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Using genetically targeted loss-of-function manipulations in adult mice, the researchers found that preventing astrocyte scar formation, attenuating scar-forming astrocytes, or deleting chronic astrocyte scars did not result in spontaneous regrowth of transected corticospinal, sensory, or serotonergic axons through severe spinal cord injury (SCI) lesions. In contrast, sustained local delivery of axon-specific growth factors and growth-activating priming injuries stimulated robust, laminin-dependent sensory axon regrowth past scar-forming astrocytes and inhibitory molecules in SCI lesions. RNA sequencing revealed that astrocytes and non-astrocyte cells in SCI lesions express multiple axon-growth supporting molecules. The findings suggest that astrocyte scar formation aids rather than prevents CNS axon regeneration, challenging the prevailing dogma.The study investigates the role of astrocyte scar formation in the regeneration of axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Using genetically targeted loss-of-function manipulations in adult mice, the researchers found that preventing astrocyte scar formation, attenuating scar-forming astrocytes, or deleting chronic astrocyte scars did not result in spontaneous regrowth of transected corticospinal, sensory, or serotonergic axons through severe spinal cord injury (SCI) lesions. In contrast, sustained local delivery of axon-specific growth factors and growth-activating priming injuries stimulated robust, laminin-dependent sensory axon regrowth past scar-forming astrocytes and inhibitory molecules in SCI lesions. RNA sequencing revealed that astrocytes and non-astrocyte cells in SCI lesions express multiple axon-growth supporting molecules. The findings suggest that astrocyte scar formation aids rather than prevents CNS axon regeneration, challenging the prevailing dogma.