VEGF enhances intraneural angiogenesis and improves nerve regeneration after axotomy

作者：MARK I. HOBSON, Colin J. Green, Giorgio Terenghi · 发表于：Journal of Anatomy · 年份：2000 · DOI：10.1046/j.1469-7580.2000.19740591.x · 被引用次数：300 · 研究领域：Nerve injury and regeneration、Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications、Nerve Injury and Rehabilitation

Whilst there is an increased understanding of the cell biology of nerve regeneration, it remains unclear whether there is a direct interrelationship between vascularisation and efficacy of nerve regeneration within a nerve conduit. To establish this is important as in clinical surgery peripheral nerve conduit grafting has been widely investigated as a possible alternative to the use of nerve autografts. The aim of this study was to assess whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a highly specific endothelial cell mitogen, can enhance vascularisation and, indirectly, axonal regeneration within a silicone nerve regeneration chamber. Chambers containing VEGF (500-700 ng/ml) in a laminin-based gel (Matrigel) were inserted into 1 cm rat sciatic nerve defects and nerve regeneration examined in relation to angiogenesis between 5 and 180 d. Longitudinal sections were stained with antibodies against endothelial cells (RECA-1), axons (neurofilament) and Schwann cells (S-100) to follow the progression of vascular and neural elements. Computerised image analysis demonstrated that the addition of VEGF significantly increased blood vessel penetration within the chamber from d 5, and by d 10 this correlated with an increase of axonal regeneration and Schwann cell migration. The pattern of increased nerve regeneration due to VEGF administration was maintained up to 180 d, when myelinated axon counts were increased by 78 % compared with plain Matrigel control. Furthermore the dose-r...