title: Collagen IV deposits do not prevent regrowing axons from penetrating the lesion site in spinal cord injury.
abstract: Scarring is suggested to impede axon regrowth across the lesion site in the injured adult mammalian central nervous system. Collagen Type IV, as a major component of the scar formed after injury, is an impediment for successful axonal regeneration and a decrease in its amount is a prerequisite for regrowing axons to cross the lesion in the postcommissural fornix in the injured adult rat (Stichel et al. [1999] Neurosci. 93:321-333). The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between collagen IV deposits and regrowing axons at various times after dorsal hemi-section of the adult rat spinal cord. Immunohistochemical double staining revealed that penetrating neurofilament-positive axons and collagen IV deposits were co-localized in the lesion site in the initial stages of axonal sprouting (between 7 and 14 days post-operatively) and were still present 1 and 2 months post-operatively. Interestingly, collagen IV-immunoreactive areas located around cystic cavities formed at the site of injury 1 month post-operatively, were devoid of axons. In conclusion, our observations indicate that collagen IV deposits after spinal cord injury do not prevent neurofilament-positive regrowing axons from penetrating the lesion site.
authors: Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.a.s.joosten@neuro.azu.nl
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Joosten
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dijkstra
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Brook
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Veldman
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Bär
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen