Neurotropism in nerve regeneration: an immunohistochemical study

A rectangular pseudomesothelial-lined chamber was used to elucidate the hypothesis that in adult rats neurotrophic factors are formed after nerve injury and may influence regeneration of peripheral nerves. The proximal end of a cut sciatic nerve was inserted into one corner of the chamber. In one group of animals the distal end of the cut sciatic nerve was implanted in the diagonally opposite corner of the chamber. In another group we just introduced the proximal end of the sciatic nerve; no distal implant was used. The organization, length and direction of the nerve fibres, regenerating from the proximal end of the sciatic nerve, was visualized immunohistochemically with the aid of antibodies against neurofilaments at 2, 3 and 4 weeks after surgery. When a distal sciatic nerve segment was used, nerve fibres regenerating from the proximal cut end of the sciatic nerve showed an organized growth across the chamber, formed bundles and grew into the diagonally implanted nerve piece. If there was no distal implant, the growth of the randomly directed nerve fibres ceased after about two weeks, resulting in formation of a neuroma-like structure. Increased immunoreactivity of the trophic peptide insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I, somatomedin C) was demonstrated in the regenerating nerve, most evidently in reactive Schwann cells. It is concluded that a positive neurotropic effect is exerted on growing nerve fibres by injured, reactive peripheral nerve tissue. There could tentatively be a relation between nerve regeneration and local formation of trophic factors.