Purpose:The regeneration of axon and myelin sheet after crush injury of peripheral nerves involves interaction of several types of cells, including Schwann cells, monocyte, macrophage and fibroblast. Among them, haematogenous macrophages invading into the peripheral nervous systein play a major role in myelin uptake during Wallerian degeneration. Materials and Methods: In this study 35 C57/BL6 male mice 10 weeks old were used and classified in 7 groups of 5 mice. The localization of epidermal-type fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) in the mature mouse sciatic nerve after crush injury was examined by immuno-light microscopy. Results: Numerous macrophages immunopositive for both anti-E-FABP and F4/80 a macrophage marker. were found in degeneration process of sciatic nerve. Macrophages contained phagosomes of various sizes and they were regarded as those actively involved in the phagocytosis of sciatic nerve debrise. Conclusion: The present detection of E-FABP immunopositivity selectively in invading macrophages suggests possible involvement of E-FABP and/or its fatty acids ligand in the process of peripheral nerve regeneration. 

Keywords: Sciatic nerve, Regeneration, Macrophages, FABP

Full-Text [PDF 891 kb]   (237 Downloads)