Open AccessMorphometric analysis of the human endoneurial extracellular matrix components during aging
Author(s) -
K Braca Kundalic,
Z Sladjana Ugrenovic,
D. Jovanović,
Sladjana Petrović,
Slađana Petrović,
R Vesna Stojanovic,
R Aleksandra Antovic,
K Jasen Kundalic,
S Ivana Graovac
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
archives of biological sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.217
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1821-4339
pISSN - 0354-4664
DOI - 10.2298/abs201214006k
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , laminin , endoneurium , sural nerve , regeneration (biology) , type i collagen , matrix (chemical analysis) , pathology , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , immunohistochemistry , chemistry , biology , medicine , peripheral nerve , chromatography
The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in human endoneurium during aging. We harvested 15 cadaveric sural nerves, distributed in 3 age groups (I: 25-44, II: 45-64, III: 65-86 years old). Histological sections were stained immunohistochemically for the presence of collagen type I, type IV and laminin, and the ImageJ processing program was used in morphometrical analysis to determine the percentages of these endoneurial proteins. In two younger groups, the endoneurial matrix of the sural nerve was composed from about equal proportions of these proteins, which may be considered a favorable microenvironment for the regeneration of nerve fibers. Linear regression analysis showed a significant increase in endoneurial collagen type IV with age, while collagen type I and laminin significantly decreased during the aging process. In cases older than 65 years, remodeling of the endoneurial matrix was observed to be significantly higher for the presence of collagen type IV, and lower for the expression of collagen type I and laminin. This age-related imbalance of ECM proteins could represent a disadvantageous microenvironment for nerve fiber regeneration in older adults. Our findings contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches for peripheral nerve regeneration.