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Differential expression of glial‐derived neurotrophic factor in rat laryngeal muscles during reinnervation
Author(s) -
HernandezMorato Ignacio,
Isseroff Tova F.,
Sharma Sansar,
Pitman Michael J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24759
Subject(s) - reinnervation , glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , neurotrophic factors , axon , axotomy , nerve injury , neuroscience , medicine , recurrent laryngeal nerve , anatomy , anesthesia , biology , central nervous system , receptor , thyroid
Objectives/Hypothesis Nonspecific, synkinetic reinnervation is one of the causes of poor functional recovery after a peripheral nerve lesion. Knowledge of the differential expression of neurotrophic factors that subserve axon guidance, as well as neuromuscular junction formation and maintenance in the denervated muscles, may allow appropriate interventions that will improve the functional nonsynkinetic reinnervation. Study Design Laboratory experiment. Methods The expression of glial‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was studied in the abductor and adductor muscles of the larynx in the rat utilizing real‐time polymerase chain reaction at different times following transection, anastomosis, and reinnervation of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Immunostaining of GDNF, axons, and the motor endplates were performed. This data was correlated with intramuscular mRNA GDNF expression. Results Significant upregulation of GDNF was observed until 14 days after RLN injury. The highest level of the GDNF expression was reached at different times in posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA), lateral thyroarytenoid (LTA), and medial thyroarytenoid (MTA). These expression peaks correlated with the timing of reinnervation observed on immunohistochemistry, where PCA was reinnervated first, followed by MTA and LTA. Conclusion Differences of GDNF expression are linked to the differential timing of RLN axon regeneration and individual muscle reinnervation. The present finding suggests the need to further investigate the role of GDNF and other neurotrophic factors in the timing of reinnervation, axon guidance, and neuromuscular junction formation as it relates to synkinetic and nonsynkinetic RLN reinnervation. Future experimental results may provide insight to therapeutic options that could stimulate appropriate neuromuscular junction formation and nonsynkintic functional reinnervation following RLN injury. Level of Evidence N/A. Laryngoscope , 124:2750–2756, 2014