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In Vivo Gene Transfer to Schwann Cells in the Rodent Sciatic Nerve by Electroporation
Published on: September 8, 2016
Increased expression of Gem after rat sciatic nerve injury
Youhua Wang1, Xinghai Cheng, Zhengming Zhou
1Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Molecular Histology
|October 19, 2012
Summary
Gem, a Ras-related GTPase, is upregulated in Schwann cells and macrophages after rat sciatic nerve injury. Its expression correlates with cell proliferation, suggesting a role in nerve repair.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Gem is a Ras-related GTPase involved in regulating calcium channels and cytoskeletal organization.
- Actin reorganization is crucial for peripheral nerve regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of Gem in a rat sciatic nerve crush model.
- To understand Gem's potential role in sciatic nerve pathophysiology following injury.
Main Methods:
- Rat sciatic nerve crush (SNC) model.
- Analysis of Gem expression levels over time post-injury.
- Immunohistochemical analysis to identify Gem-expressing cells (Schwann cells, macrophages, axons).
- Co-localization studies with Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA).
Main Results:
- Gem expression significantly increased from day 1, peaked at day 5, and then returned to normal levels post-SNC.
- Peak Gem expression was observed in Schwann cells and macrophages in the distal sciatic nerve segment.
- Gem showed minimal co-localization with axons.
- Peak Gem expression paralleled PCNA expression, with many Gem-positive Schwann cells also being PCNA positive.
Conclusions:
- Gem is dynamically expressed in the sciatic nerve following injury, particularly in glial and immune cells.
- The upregulation of Gem, coinciding with PCNA, suggests its involvement in the cellular proliferation and repair processes after sciatic nerve injury.