Adenoviral Vector-mediated Transfer Of NT-3/LacZ Genes To Schwann Cells In Culture And In Sciatic Nerve

Injuries of peripheral nerves are a common clinical problem. There have been significant advances so far in peripheral nerve repair, including the introduction of microsurgical technique, tension-free repair by epineurial or perineurial suture and histochemical or immunohistochemical methods for motor and sensory fibers. Even after accurate primary nerve repair in a clean sharp nerve injury, however, nerve regeneration will not be perfect, resulting in incomplete recovery of function. Loss of sensory or motor function for a long period of time will lead to atrophy of the muscles and deformity of a lot of patients with nerve injury. It is a big challenge for peripheral nerve scientist to promote nerve regeneration after nerve injury to gain functional recovery to the greatest degree.The success of peripheral nerve regeneration is determined to a large extent by the regenerative milieu following nerve injury and repair. Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is one of the important factors in the regenerative milieu and plays a variety of physiological effects on the development of nervous system, protection of neurons in the central nervous system, peripheral nerve regeneration and prevent the degeneration of motor end plate. NT-3 mRNA, on the other hand, decreased nine folds in distal nerve stump tips of transected sciatic nerves after the transection but returned to control levels 2 wk later. In order to accelerate regeneration and functional recovery, it is necessary to elevate the levels of NT-3 in the regenerative milieu in the early stages of regeneration.Many studies are focused on the use of neurotrophic factors (NTFs), including NT-3, to stimulate peripheral nerve regeneration. The safe and efficient delivery of these proteins at the site of injury is still problematic. Gene transfer techniques provides a new strategy for the clinical application of NT-3 and allow the insertion of...