Synthesis of leukemia inhibitory factor in injured peripheral nerves and their cells

The time and site of induction of leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA in injure d rat sciatic nerves and its regulation in Schwann cells and fibroblasts fr om neonatal rat nerves were investigated. Leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA i s induced at the lesion site within 6 h of sciatic nerve transection but on ly after 24 h in the more distal segments. In vitro, interleukin-1 beta inc reases the concentration of leukemia inhibitory mRNA in nerve fibroblasts b ut not in Schwann cells. Changes in leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA concent ration in injured nerves and peripheral nerve cells are similar to those fo r nerve growth factor mRNA. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.