Protocol demonstrates that reactive astrocytes play a crucial role in wound healing and functional recovery by using mice with a selective deletion of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) or suppression of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) under the control of Nestin gene promoter/enhancer (STAT3N–/–, SOCS3N–/–). Procedure includes: Surgical procedures, Functional evaluation, Immunohistochemistry, In vitro migration assay.