Laminin-immunoreactive sites are induced by growth-associated triggering factors in injured rabbit optic nerve

We have previously demonstrated that application of soluble growth-associated triggering factors (GATFs) from regenerating fish optic nerve or neonatal rabbit optic nerve to a non-regenerative crushed adult rabbit optic nerve provokes regeneration-like changes in the adult rabbit. In this study we show that the responses initiated by GATFs also include a change in pattern of appearance of an extracellular matrix component, laminin, known to play a role in neurite outgrowth and elongation. These findings suggest a mechanism whereby GATFs activate the adult rabbit glial cells to produce or to accumulate laminin and thereby allow partial compensation for the low inherent regenerative ability of the adult rabbit optic nerve.