Targeted disruption of the FGF-2 gene affects the response to peripheral nerve injury.
Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) is involved in the development, maintenance, and survival of the nervous system. To study the physiological role of endogenous FGF-2 during peripheral nerve regeneration, we analyzed sciatic nerves of FGF-2-deleted mice by using morphometric, morphological, and immunocytochemical methods. Quantification of number and size of myelinated axons in intact sciatic nerves revealed no difference between wild-type and FGF-2 knock-out (ko) animals. One week after nerve crush, FGF-2 ko mice showed about five times more regenerated myelinated axons with increased myelin and axon diameter in comparison to wild-types close to the injury site. In addition, quantitative distribution of macrophages and collapsed myelin profiles suggested faster Wallerian degeneration in FGF-2-deleted mice close to the lesion site. Our results suggest that endogenous FGF-2 is crucially involved in the early phase of peripheral nerve regeneration possibly by regulation of Schwann cell differentiation.
Jungnickel
Julia
J
Department of Neuroanatomy OE 4140, Center of Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, D-30623 Hannover, Germany. jungnickel.julia@mh-hannover.de
Claus
Peter
P
Gransalke
Kathleen
K
Timmer
Marco
M
Grothe
Claudia
C
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2