In vivo guidance of regenerating nerve by laminin-coated filaments.
Laminin is reportedly an extremely potent neurite-promoting agent in vitro. We investigated the effect of laminin on regeneration of axons in vivo, using a cord of polyester filaments coated with laminin as a guide, replacing a 10-mm segment of the rat sciatic nerve. After 4 weeks the cross section of the nerve guide at its midportion was examined under an electron microscope. Many regenerated axons were seen in the laminin-coated group, whereas no axon was observed in the controls. We conclude that laminin guides the regeneration of axons in vivo.
D000818:Animals; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011091:Polyesters; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology
D007797:Laminin; D011091:Polyesters