Vi. Vougioukas et al., Effects of the immunomodulator linomide on macrophage migration and myelinphagocytic activity in peripheral nerve trauma: An experimental study, J NEUROTRAU, 18(5), 2001, pp. 555-562
Wallerian degeneration after peripheral nerve transection leads to the phag
ocytosis of degenerated myelin and axon components by macrophages. These ph
agocytes are recruited from the systemic circulation and Wallerian degenera
tion may therefore be used as a model for myelin removal by hematogenous ma
crophages, a feature that is also a hallmark of demyelinating diseases of t
he central and peripheral nervous system. The immunomodulator linomide has
been shown to be effective in the treatment of experimental demyelinating d
iseases although the exact mode of its action is not yet defined, The prese
nt study investigated the effect of linomide on monocyte invasion and myeli
n phagocytosis after sciatic nerve transection, Linomide had a dual effect
in Wallerian degeneration. Monocyte migration from the circulation to the d
amaged nervous system was significantly reduced. Additionally, the myelin p
hagocytic capacity of macrophages was impaired, finally resulting in a sign
ificant delay in the removal of myelin, The present experiments may provide
an explanation for the effects of linomide during the course of demyelinat
ing diseases of the nervous system.