Abstract
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays an important role in the development and maintenance of a subset of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. We administered high-dose exogenous recombinant human GDNF (rhGDNF) daily to adult rats to examine its effect on unmyelinated axon-Schwann cell units in intact peripheral nerves. In rhGDNF-treated animals, there was a dramatic proliferation in the Schwann cells of unmyelinated fibers, which resulted in the segregation of many unmyelinated axons into a 1:1 relationship with Schwann cells and myelination of normally unmyelinated small axons. This study demonstrates that the administration of high doses of a growth factor to adult rats can change the phenotype of nerve fibers from unmyelinated to myelinated.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Axons / drug effects*
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Axons / metabolism
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Axons / ultrastructure
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Cells, Cultured
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Coculture Techniques
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
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Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Male
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Myelin Sheath / metabolism*
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Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / drug effects
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Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / metabolism
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Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology*
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
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Schwann Cells / cytology
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Schwann Cells / drug effects*
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Schwann Cells / metabolism
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Sciatic Nerve / cytology
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Sciatic Nerve / drug effects
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Sciatic Nerve / metabolism
Substances
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Gdnf protein, rat
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Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Recombinant Proteins