PDGF and its receptors following facial nerve axotomy in rats: expression in neurons and surrounding glia

We investigated the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors in rat facial nuclei following axotomy by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Facial nuclei were examined on days 3, 6, 12, 19 and 26 postoperatively (p.o.). Strong immunoreactivity for PDGF was found in facial neurons and surrounding astrocytes on the ipsilateral side of the brainstem already after 3 days p.o. and persisted at a high level until day 26 p.o. in rats with a facial nerve cut injury. After crushing of the facial nerve, a similar increase was seen in PDGF immunoreactivity which, however, decreased after day 19 p.o., when reinnervation had occurred. Reactive gliosis appeared on the operated side and was confirmed by an increase in intensity of GFAP staining. The kinetics of PDGF A-chain mRNA expression corresponded to the PDGF immunoreactivity, whereas the B-chain mRNA was present only in the neurons. The PDGF -receptor immunoreactivity as well as the mRNA were detected in scattered glial cells. The density of the PDGF -receptor mRNA expressing glial cells was higher on the injured side, but the intensity of the expression per cell did not change after axotomy. An increase in PDGF -receptor immunoreactivity was seen in the ipsilateral facial nuclei after 3–6 days p.o., however, the increase in the mRNA could not be detected. The staining persisted until day 26 p.o., when transected facial neurons showed heavier staining than those that had been crushed. Furthermore, both mRNA and protein of the -receptor were expressed in the blood vessels after 3–6 days p.o., increasing with time. These results imply a role for PDGF in the regeneration process following nerve injury.