Matching of motor-sensory modality in the rodent femoral nerve model shows no enhanced effect on peripheral nerve regeneration.
The treatment of peripheral nerve injuries with nerve gaps largely consists of autologous nerve grafting utilizing sensory nerve donors. Underlying this clinical practice is the assumption that sensory autografts provide a suitable substrate for motoneuron regeneration, thereby facilitating motor endplate reinnervation and functional recovery. This study examined the role of nerve graft modality on axonal regeneration, comparing motor nerve regeneration through motor, sensory, and mixed nerve isografts in the Lewis rat. A total of 100 rats underwent grafting of the motor or sensory branch of the femoral nerve with histomorphometric analysis performed after 5, 6, or 7 weeks. Analysis demonstrated similar nerve regeneration in motor, sensory, and mixed nerve grafts at all three time points. These data indicate that matching of motor-sensory modality in the rat femoral nerve does not confer improved axonal regeneration through nerve isografts.
Kawamura
David H
DH
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110-1010, USA.
Johnson
Philip J
PJ
Moore
Amy M
AM
Magill
Christina K
CK
Hunter
Daniel A
DA
Ray
Wilson Z
WZ
Tung
Thomas H H
TH
Mackinnon
Susan E
SE
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic