title: Evaluating the role of Netrin-1 during the early phase of peripheral nerve regeneration using the mouse median nerve model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Less is known about the role of Netrin-1 in the peripheral nervous system. In this study, we evaluated the role of Netrin-1 using the mouse median nerve model for assessment of peripheral nerve regeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using real-time PCR and western blot analysis, we examined expression changes of netrin-1 mRNA and Netrin-1 protein after transection and repair of the mouse median nerve in Wild-type animals. We further evaluated histomorphometrical changes as well as the functional recovery of the grasping force after median nerve transection and repair in WT mice and Netrin-1(+/-) heterozygous mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RT-PCR revealed a 1, 9 fold increase of Netrin-1 mRNA two weeks after nerve transection and repair in the nerve segment distal to the injury site. In Western blot analysis, we could show a high increase of Netrin-1 in the nerve segment distal to the injury site at day 14. Histomorphometrical analysis showed significantly higher cross sectional area and a lower fibre density in heterozygous Netrin-1(+/-) mice. Using the functional grasping test, we could show that peripheral nerve regeneration is significantly diminished in heterozygous Netrin-1(+/-) mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Employing the mouse median nerve model in transgenic animals, we demonstrate that Netrin-1 plays an important role during peripheral nerve regeneration.
authors: Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, BG-Trauma Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. patrickjaminet@googlemail.com
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Jaminet
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Köhler
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schäufele
authors: Afshin
authors: A
authors: Rahmanian-Schwarz
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Lotter
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Fornaro
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Ronchi
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Geuna
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Rosenberger
authors: Hans-Eberhard
authors: HE
authors: Schaller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000075388:Netrin-1; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C000617353:Ntn1 protein, mouse; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D000075388:Netrin-1