Early changes in degenerating mouse sciatic nerve are associated with endothelial cells

A. L. Oaklander, M. S. Miller, P. S. Spencer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study determines the earliest reproducible biochemical change in nerve undergoing Wallerian degeneration by assessing the timing, magnitude, and specificity of changes in markers of cellular function in distal stumps of transected mouse sciatic nerves. Analysis of temporal changes in synthesis of DNA, RNA, protein, and in activity of ornithine decarboxylase in transected and sham-operated nerves 0-5 days postoperatively indicated that incorporation of [3H]thymidine, a marker of premitotic activity, was the earliest and only specific marker of early Wallerian degeneration. Although the 3-4 day peak in [3H]thymidine incorporation in distal stumps of transected mammalian nerves is known to reflect Schwann cell mitosis, light-microscopic autoradiographic studies of nerve stumps at the onset of the [3H]thymidine response (1 day post-transection) revealed preferential labeling of endothelial cells lining intrafascicular capillaries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)39-45
Number of pages7
JournalBrain research
Volume419
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 1987
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Endothelial cell
  • Mitosis
  • Ornithine decarboxylase
  • Protein synthesis
  • RNA
  • Wallerian degeneration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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