Expression of tight and gap junctional proteins in the perineurial window model of the rat sciatic nerve

Int J Neurosci. 2005 Oct;115(10):1469-81. doi: 10.1080/00207450591001871.

Abstract

Limited perineurial injury, known as a perineurial window, can lead to neuropathic pain. This article hypothesizes that the recovery of the perineurium is associated with the intercellular junctional proteins. It analyzes the expressions of occludin, ZO-1, and connexin 43 by immunoconfocal microscopy. Seven days after injury, immunoreactivities for occludin and ZO-1 were observed, although there was no connexin 43 detected. Then, 21 days after injury, immunoreactivity for connexin 43 were observed. These results indicate that recovery of the perineurium is associated with the intercellular junctional proteins and that the recovery of gap junctions is delayed compared with that of tight junctions.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Peripheral Nerves / cytology
  • Peripheral Nerves / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sciatic Nerve / cytology
  • Sciatic Nerve / metabolism*
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism*
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Connexins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Tjp1 protein, rat
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein