title: Immune cell distribution and immunoglobulin levels change following sciatic nerve injury in a rat model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the systemic and local immune status of two surgical rat models of sciatic nerve injury, a crushed sciatic nerve, and a sciatic nerve transection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operation (control group), sciatic nerve crush, and sciatic nerve transaction. Sciatic nerve surgery was performed. The percentage of CD4(+) cells and the CD4(+)/CD8+ratio were determined by flow cytometry. Serum IgM and IgG levels were analyzed by ELISA. T-cells (CD3) and macrophages (CD68) in sciatic nerve tissue sections were identified through immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to sham-operated controls, in rats that underwent nerve injury, the percentage of CD4(+) cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio in the peripheral blood were significantly decreased 7 days after surgery, serum IgM levels were increased 14 days after surgery, and serum IgG levels were increased 21 days after surgery. There were a large number of CD3(+) cells and a small number of CD68(+) cells in sciatic nerve tissue sections 21 days after surgery, indicating T-cell and macrophage activation and infiltration. Local IgG deposition was also detected at the nerve injury site 21 days after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rat humoral and cellular immune status changed following sciatic nerve injury, particularly with regard to the cellular immune response at the nerve injury site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Aviation General Hospital of China Medical University, Beijing Institute of Translational Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 3 Anwai beiyuan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital Medical Center, Tsinghua University, No. 168 Li Tang Rd. Dongxiaokou Town, Tiantongyuan Area, Changping District, Beijing, 102218, China.
authors.forename: Xinhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
keywords: Immune status; Nerve regeneration; Nerve repair; Sciatic nerve injury