Role of Autophagy in Dedifferentiation of Schwann Cells after Transection of Rat Sciatic Nerve

Objective To explore the dedifferentiation mechanism of schwann cells(Scs) after transection of sciatic nerve.Methods Rat models of sciatic nerve injury were established by transecting the left side of rat sciatic nerve.The experiment group were injected abdominally with LY294002(inhibitor of autophagy) every other day,and the control group with its solvent.The expression of S-100 was detected with immunohistochemical method and the morphological changes of Scs were observed by eletron microscope at 4th,7th and 10th day after transection.Results The expression of S-100 in experiment group increased significantly compared with that in control group at 4th day after transection.The expression of S-100 was little in immature Scs,and gradually increased as the cells became more mature.The process of autophagy was observed significantly in Scs.Conclusion Autophagy may play important roles in the dedifferentiation of Scs.