The formation of a 'pseudo-nerve' in silicone chambers in the absence of regenerating axons.
The formation of a regenerate between sciatic nerve segments or stumps inserted into Y-tunnelled silicone chambers was studied under conditions where regenerating axons were prevented from entering the chamber. This was accomplished by using an isolated segment of the nerve as a proximal insert. After one week, a cellular regenerate spanned the proximal and distal inserts. The size of the regenerate increased if circulation was preserved in the distal inserts. At four weeks, a perineurium-like sheath surrounded the regenerate and longitudinally oriented Schwann cell columns could be observed throughout the regenerate. A similar 'pseudo-nerve' formed towards a piece of distally inserted tendon. Thus, the information required for the formation of a nerve-like structure is inherent to the non-neuronal cells entering the chamber. Schwann cells, in contrast to regenerating axons, do not exhibit preferential growth towards nervous tissue.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009462:Neurology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012828:Silicones; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D005353:Fibronectins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D012828:Silicones; D005340:Fibrinogen