Peripheral nerve regeneration in the MRL/MpJ ear wound model.
The MRL/MpJ mouse displays an accelerated ability to heal ear punch wounds without scar formation (whereas wounds on the dorsal surface of the trunk heal with scar formation), offering a rare opportunity for studying tissue regeneration in adult mammals. A blastema-like structure develops and subsequently the structure of the wounded ear is restored, including cartilage, skin, hair follicles and adipose tissue. We sought to assess if the MRL/MpJ strain also possessed an enhanced capacity for peripheral nerve regeneration. Female MRL/MpJ and C57BL/6 mice were wounded with a 2-mm excisional biopsy punch to the centre of each ear and two 4-mm excisional biopsy punches to the dorsal skin. Immunohistochemical dual staining of pan-neurofilament and CD31 markers was used to investigate reinnervation and vascularisation of both the dorsal surface of the trunk and ear wounds. The MRL/MpJ mouse ear exhibited a significantly (P > 0.01) higher density of regenerated nerves than C57BL/6 between 10 and 21 days post-wounding when the blastema-like structure was forming. Unlike dorsal skin wounds, nerve regeneration in the ear wound preceded vascularisation, recapitulating early mammalian development. Immunohistochemical data suggest that factors within the blastemal mesenchyme, such as aggrecan, may direct nerve regrowth in the regenerating ear tissue.
Faculty of Life Sciences, UK Centre for Tissue Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Gemma
G
Buckley
Anthony D
AD
Metcalfe
Mark W J
MW
Ferguson
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004423:Ear / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019463:Mice, Inbred MRL lpr; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1