Premium
Extracellular matrix and matrix metalloproteinases in sciatic nerve
Author(s) -
Platt C.I.,
Krekoski C.A.,
Ward R.V.,
Edwards D.R.,
Gavrilovic J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.10783
Subject(s) - matrix metalloproteinase , sciatic nerve , extracellular matrix , regeneration (biology) , zymography , peripheral nervous system , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , anatomy , nervous system , extracellular , sciatic nerve injury , schwann cell , pathology , biology , medicine
Although matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are increasingly being implicated in several pathologies of the nervous system, it is not yet clear what role they play in normal neurobiological processes. We review the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components as well as MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the peripheral nervous system. We explore the expression of certain MMPs and the four TIMPs at the mRNA level in the postnatal mouse sciatic nerve. In addition, we have used substrate gel and in situ zymography to determine levels of MMP‐2 and ‐9 and TIMP activity in rat sciatic nerve after crush and during regeneration. A rapid and transient increase in MMP‐9 localised at and immediately distal to the site of injury was observed, whereas an increase in MMP‐2 activity was delayed, prolonged, and extended proximal and distal to the injury site. This activity coincides with periods of axonal elongation, suggesting that it could act to facilitate axonal extension along the nerve matrix. We also detected multiple species of gelatinolytic inhibitory activity, including TIMP‐1 and ‐3 in control and injured nerve. These activities probably act to prevent uncontrolled gelatinolytic activity, maintaining nerve integrity at the level essential for axonal regrowth. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.