Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule in spinal cords following a complete transection

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) regulates tissue organization during d evelopment and in the adult. NCAM upregulation occurs after an injury to br ains and sciatic nerves. However, little is known about NCAM expression aft er spinal cord injury (SCI). By using a complete spinal cord transection wi th a 5 mm tissue removal, an increase in the NCAM level is detected in spin al cord stumps proximal and distal to the transection site at 1 d and 3 d p ost injury, while its expression at 8 d is declined to a lower level than t hat observed in sham-operated spinal cords. The strong NCAM expression is p resent in motor neurons at 3 d post transection whereas the intensive NCAM immunostaining is localized in dorsal sensory and corticospinal fiber tract s at 8 d following injury. Collectively, NCAM level is elevated and strongl y expressed in dorsal fiber tracts after SCI, implying that the endogenous process for spinal cord regeneration may take place after SCI. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Inc. All rights reserved.