title: Decreased motoneuron survival in Igf2 null mice after sciatic nerve transection.
abstract: The search for therapeutic targets to prevent neurons from dying is ongoing and involves the exploration of a long list of neurotrophic factors. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a member of the insulin family with known neurotrophic properties. In this study, we used Igf2 knockout (Igf2) neonate mice to determine whether Igf2 deficiency is detrimental to motor neuron survival after axonal injury. Results show that Igf2 neonatal mice are more susceptible to motor neuron damage than Igf2 mice, as they have a significantly lower percentage of motor neuron survival after a sciatic nerve transection. Neuronal survival was significantly improved in Igf2 mice when IGF2 was administered. These results support the role of IGF2 in neonatal motor neuron survival.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Division Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dikkes
authors.forename: Medina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Mary Frances
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020426:Sciatic Neuropathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: C513121:IGF2 protein, mouse; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II