The dynamics of beta 1 integrin expression during peripheral nerve regeneration
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the expression of beta 1 integrin subunit after peripheral nerve transection. After sciatic nerve transection two experimental procedures were used; changes in the freely regenerating rat sciatic nerve were compared to a situation in which spontaneous regeneration was prevented by suturing both ends of the nerve to the muscle next to the point of transection. Specimens for morphological analysis were collected 6 h, 1, 3, 5, 7 days and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the axotomy. Sections from the proximal (two zones) and distal (three zones) stumps next to the point of transection were stained with antibodies against beta 1 integrin subunit, macrophages, collagen types I and III, and S-100 protein. The control nerves showed beta 1 integrin-stained cells in the perineurium and vasa nervorum but the endoneurium was negative. Positively stained endoneurial fibroblast-like cells could be seen in the proximal part of the nerve already at 24 h after transection. The number of these positively stained cells increased steadily; they were most numerous 4 weeks after transection in the distal zone 2. Subsequently, the number of positively stained endoneural cells declined sharply and 8 weeks after tr...Continue Reading
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