An Morphological Study on the Alteration of Immunoreactivity of the Neural Cell Adhesion molecule (NCAM) in Rat Spinal Cord after Unilateral Sciatic Neurotomy and Reconnection

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 17(1); 1999 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1999;17(1): 159-167.

일측 좌골신경의 절단 및 재연결 후 흰쥐 척수에서 신경세포접착분자 (NCAM)의 면역조직반응의 변화에 관한 형태학적 연구

황세진, 전복관, 안동춘, 조원길, 김승현

한양대학교 의과대학 해부학교실, 신경과학교실

An Morphological Study on the Alteration of Immunoreactivity of the Neural Cell Adhesion molecule (NCAM) in Rat Spinal Cord after Unilateral Sciatic Neurotomy and Reconnection

Se-Jin Hwang, M.D., Bok-Kwan Chun, M.D., Dong-Choon Ahn, M.D., Won-Gil Cho, Seung-Hyun Kim, M.D.**

Department of Anatomy & Neurology**, College of Medicine, Hanyang University

Abstract

Background : NCAM plays an important role in the peripheral innervation of the spinal neurons as well as in the development of the CNS. Although expression of NCAM is down-regulated in most areas of adult brain and spinal cord, it could be reexpressed after neuronal damages induced by various physical or chemical insults including peripheral nerve transection. Method : To investigate alterations of the NCAM immunoreactivity in the dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord induced by peripheral neurotomy and reconnection, the unilateral sciatic nerve of the rats were transected and immediately reconnected. Experimental animals were sacrificed at 1 week and 3 weeks after operation, and the alteration of NCAM immunoreactivity in the ventral and the dorsal horns of the lower lumbar spinal cord were examined. Results : NCAM-immunoreactive astrocytes in the ipsilateral dorsal horn was increased at 1 week after operation. Neurons with NCAM?immunoreactive membranes and processes were increased in ipsilateral dorsal horns, and in large motor neurons of ventral horns of both sides at 3 weeks after unilateral sciatic neurotomy and reconnection. Conclusions : It is consequently suggested that unilateral sciatic neurotomy and reconnection induce the increase of the NCAM-immunoreactive neurons and glial cells in the spinal cord, and increase of NCAM immunoreactivity in the spinal cord may reflect the neuronal damage and healing process induced by peripheral nerve injury. Key words: NCAM, Spinal cord, Peripheral nerve, Immunohistochemistry