title: Role of extracellular matrix components in facial nerve regeneration: an experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of extracellular matrix components in nerve regeneration. Matrigel, a complex of extracellular matrix components such as laminin (the most abundant) heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG), type IV collagen and fibronectin, was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male rabbits, which had undergone section of the right facial nerve, were later treated by reinnervation through an artificial graft of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). In 20 animals the tubes of ePTFE were filled with Matrigel; in 20 control animals the tubes were filled with saline solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Matrigel group showed a better axonal organization and a significantly higher number of regenerated axons in the early phases (at days 15 and 30 respectively) than the control group, whereas the difference of the axons number at day 60 was less significant; besides, the axon diameter and the myelin thickness were not significantly improved by Matrigel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that Matrigel is an important factor in promoting and enhancing the early phases of the regeneration after nerve injuries. Tree neurite promoting agents, such as laminin, fibronectin and collagen, allow a more systematic and agonized regeneration. Extracellular matrix components may represent a direction guidance for axonal pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University 'Federico II' School of Medicine, Naples, Italy. donzelli@unina.it
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donzelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maiuri
authors.forename: Gennaro Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Piscopo
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Notaris
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colella
authors.forename: Enricode
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Divitiis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007797:Laminin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D003094:Collagen