Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) positive effects on muscle fiber degeneration and gait recovery after nerve lesion in MDX mice

Author(s)

Simoes, Gustavo F. ^[1] ; Benitez, Suzana U. ^[1] ; Oliveira, Alexandre L. R. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR; v. 4, n. 5, p. 738-753, SEP 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Background: G-CSF has been shown to decrease inflammatory processes and to act positively on the process of peripheral nerve regeneration during the course of muscular dystrophy. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of treatment of G-CSF during sciatic nerve regeneration and histological analysis in the soleus muscle in MDX mice. Methods: Six-week-old male MDX mice underwent left sciatic nerve crush and were G-CSF treated at 7 days prior to and 21 days after crush. Ten and twenty-one days after surgery, the mice were euthanized, and the sciatic nerves were processed for immunohistochemistry (anti-p75(NTR) and anti-neurofilament) and transmission electron microscopy. The soleus muscles were dissected out and processed for H\&E staining and subsequent morphologic analysis. Motor function analyses were performed at 7 days prior to and 21 days after sciatic crush using the CatWalk system and the sciatic nerve index. Results: Both groups treated with G-CSF showed increased p75(NTR) and neurofilament expression after sciatic crush. G-CSF treatment decreased the number of degenerated and regenerated muscle fibers, thereby increasing the number of normal muscle fibers. Conclusions: The reduction in p75(NTR) and neurofilament indicates a decreased regenerative capacity in MDX mice following a lesion to a peripheral nerve. The reduction in motor function in the crushed group compared with the control groups may reflect the cycles of muscle degeneration/regeneration that occur postnatally. Thus, G-CSF treatment increases motor function in MDX mice. Nevertheless, the decrease in baseline motor function in these mice is not reversed completely by G-CSF. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/06686-6 - Synaptic plasticity of alpha spinal motoneurons in MDX mice treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
• Grantee: Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/05565-0 - Alpha motoneuron synaptic plasticity in MDX mice after treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)
• Grantee: Gustavo Ferreira Simoes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate