Study of the HMGB1 effects on migration of Schwann cells following sciatic nerve injury

Objective: To investigate the localization and expression changes of high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1) following sciatic nerve injury,and also to test the effect of HMGB1 on migration of Schwann cells(SCs) in attempt to clarify the functional basis of the cells. Methods: With the establishment of rat sciatic nerve injury model,immunohistochemistry method was used to study the localization and the expression changes of HMGB1. SCs were also isolated from newborn rat pups(within postnatal 1-3 d) and purified. Transwell was used to test the effect of HMGB1 on migration of SCs. Results: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that HMGB1 colocalized with S100 positive cells in the distal segment with most of them colocalized in nucleus,the positive staining increased after sciatic nerve injury. The purified SCs were in regular morphology. Statistical data showed that purification of the cell reached up to 95%. Extracellular HMGB1 was able to promote the migration of SCs.Conclusion: HMGB1 is involved in the functional regulation of SCs after sciatic nerve injury.