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Immunohistochemical analysis of clinically transplanted muscles
K Yoshimura1, K Harii, H Asato
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113, Japan.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|September 15, 1998
Summary
Clinically transplanted muscles show signs of regeneration and satellite cell activation long after surgery. This suggests muscle repair continues, but reinnervation times vary, with potential limitations after 12 months of denervation.
Area of Science:
- Microsurgery
- Muscle transplantation
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Limited immunohistochemical data exists for clinically transplanted muscles.
- Previous studies focused on experimental muscle morphology and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate clinically transplanted muscles using biochemical markers for satellite cell activation and regeneration.
- To assess muscle adaptation and reinnervation at long-term follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Biopsies from nine patients with transplanted gracilis or latissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and MyoD protein.
- Normal LD muscle specimens served as controls.
Main Results:
- Eight of nine transplanted muscles showed successful reinnervation with no significant difference in fiber size compared to normal LD muscles.
- Despite successful reinnervation, embryonic MHC and MyoD expression indicated ongoing satellite cell activation and repair.
- One specimen demonstrated failed reinnervation with atrophic fibers.
Conclusions:
- Muscle adaptation and satellite cell activation persist long after clinical muscle transplantation.
- Reinnervation times in human skeletal muscle transfers exhibit significant variability.
- Prolonged denervation (e.g., >12 months) may impede proper reinnervation of muscle fibers.