PERIPHERALLY GRAFTED HUMAN FETAL DORSAL REST GANGLION-CELLS EXTEND AXONS INTO THE SPINAL-CORD OF ADULT HOST RATS BY CIRCUMVENTING DORSAL-ROOT ENTRY ZONE ASTROCYTES
En. Kozlova et al., PERIPHERALLY GRAFTED HUMAN FETAL DORSAL REST GANGLION-CELLS EXTEND AXONS INTO THE SPINAL-CORD OF ADULT HOST RATS BY CIRCUMVENTING DORSAL-ROOT ENTRY ZONE ASTROCYTES, NeuroReport, 5(17), 1994, pp. 2389-2392
HUMAN foetal dorsal root ganglia were grafted in place of native lumba
r dorsal root ganglia in adult rat hosts. Between 4 weeks and 4 months
later, the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) in the grafted roots showed
extensive peripheral outgrowth of astrocytic processes, in contrast to
the normal 'smooth' interface between the peripheral and central nerv
ous system compartments of the DREZ. Fibres originating from the graft
ed neurones and approaching the DREZ changed their direction of growth
and entered the spinal cord through the pia by following blood vessel
s, grew into the grey matter and ramified there. These findings sugges
t that the DREZ astrocytes in vivo are non-permissive not only to matu
re peripheral regenerating axons, but also to growing axons from immat
ure neurones.