Acidic fibroblast growth factor enhances peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.
When added to a collagen-filled nerve guide, purified acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) increased the number of myelinated axons that regenerated across a 5-mm nerve gap distance. In addition, a greater number of primary sensory and motor neurons extended axons through the nerve guide in animals treated with aFGF. Thus the effect of aFGF on peripheral nerve regeneration is not simply an increase in axonal branching within the nerve guide tube. This is the first highly purified growth factor since nerve growth factor that has been shown to promote nerve regeneration in vivo. This experimental model provides a convenient and quantitative means to assess the effects of putative neuronotropic factors on peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.
Cordeiro
P G
PG
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Mass.
Seckel
B R
BR
Lipton
S A
SA
D'Amore
P A
PA
Wagner
J
J
Madison
R
R
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000187:drug effects; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects
D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D006493:Heparin; D003094:Collagen