Detection of E-cadherin expression after nerve repair in a rat sciatic nerve model.
The authors investigated E-cadherin expression during nerve regeneration after nerve suture using the rat sciatic nerve model. Five rats were used during each postoperative period. E-cadherin expression was detected by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining with an anti-E-cadherin monoclonal antibody. The level of E-cadherin expression was calculated as the amount relative to that found in normal control nerve. The level of E-cadherin expression was decreased at first, and then gradually increased. The maximum level of E-cadherin was 1.92 +/- 0.07 fold in the sutured nerve. The level of E-cadherin expression in the sutured nerve was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) than that of the normal control nerve from postoperative day 3 to 21, and that of sutured nerve returned to the control level by postoperative day 28. The immunofluorescent staining results indicated that E-cadherin expression was almost negative or decreased immediately after the operation, but the degree of expression increased gradually in Schwann's cells. The degree of E-cadherin expression was significantly greater than that of normal control nerves from postoperative day 7 to 14, and returned to the control level by postoperative day 21. These results demonstrate that E-cadherin expression increases during nerve regeneration, and the expression was observed mainly in Schwann's cells. The degree of E-cadherin expression may affect the rate of nerve regeneration.
Tada
H
H
Division of Plastic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Hatoko
M
M
Tanaka
A
A
Kuwahara
M
M
Mashiba
K
K
Yurugi
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013537:Sutures
D015820:Cadherins