An EGFR inhibitor induces Schwann cell proliferation and promotes functional recovery with remyelination in injured peroneal nerve after end-to-side neurorrhaphy

在这项研究中，我们检测了抑制表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)是否调节DRG神经元的轴突延伸或雪旺细胞(SC)的体外增殖以及损伤的腓神经端侧吻合(ETS)后的神经再生。体外实验结果表明，EGFR抑制剂(EGFI)对移植的背根节神经元再生无明显促进作用。相反，EGFI治疗增加了干细胞的数量，活性检测显示。切断大鼠腓神经，3周后行ETS。创面用渗透压泵注入EGFI，连续7d。术后2周，EGFI输注组运动评分明显增加，4周时腓神经髓鞘含量明显增加。这些结果表明，局部应用EGFI有可能促进周围神经损伤后的功能恢复。

In this study, we tested whether the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates neurite extension in DRG neurons or Schwann cell (SC) proliferation in vitro and nerve regeneration in injured proneal nerves after end-to-side neurorrhaphy (ETS). The in vitro results showed that regeneration of neurites from explanted DRG neurons was not significantly accelerated by administration of EGFR inhibitor (EGFI). In contrast, the number of SCs was increased with EGFI treatment as shown by a viability assay. Rat peroneal nerve was cut and then ETS was performed 3 weeks later. EGFI was infused by osmotic pump at the injury site for 7 days. After the surgery, motor score was increased significantly at 2 weeks and the amount of myelin in the peroneal nerve was increased significantly at 4 weeks in the EGFI infusion group. These findings suggest that local administration of EGFI has the potential to increase functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.