Transganglionic response of GAP-43 in the gracile nucleus to sciatic nerve injury in young and aged rats.
Sciatic nerve axotomy induces the transganglionic expression of the growth associated protein GAP-43 and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in lumbar DRG projections to the gracile nucleus. Four weeks after axotomy young animals had developed delicate GAP-43 and NPY-immunoreactive axonal sprouts in the gracile nuclei; however, an identical insult to aged (14-26 months) animals resulted in the labeling of swollen dystrophic elements and fewer delicate axonal sprouts. Unilateral sciatic transection in young rats with subsequent frustration of regeneration for 8 months resulted in ipsilateral gracile neuroaxonal dystrophy as assessed by ultrastructural, immunohistologic and quantitative morphometric techniques.
Ohara
S
S
Department of Pathology, Neuropathology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Beaudet
L N
LN
Schmidt
R E
RE
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003714:Denervation; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D006133:Growth Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009478:Neuropeptide Y