Expression and function of neural cell adhesion molecule during limb regeneration.
The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been detected in regenerating limb bud of adult newts in addition to brain and peripheral nerves. In the regenerating tissue, NCAM was found primarily on mesenchymal cells and also in wound epidermis. Infusion of Fab fragments of antibodies to NCAM into limb buds at the early blastema stage delayed the regenerative process. Previous studies have indicated that NCAM serves as a homophilic ligand for adhesion among cells that express this molecule and, in doing so, can influence the interaction of nerves with their environment. The expression of NCAM in regenerating limb and the effects of antibody infusion are therefore consistent with the observation that limb regeneration requires interactions among axons and mesenchymal cells.
Maier
C E
CE
Watanabe
M
M
Singer
M
M
McQuarrie
I G
IG
Sunshine
J
J
Rutishauser
U
U
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002450:Cell Communication; D005121:Extremities / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration; D012455:Salamandridae
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules