Peripheral nerve regeneration in the apolipoprotein-E-deficient mouse.

Apolipoprotein E (apo E) is thought to mediate the reutilization of myelin cholesterol for nerve regeneration. Prior research suggests that apo E is not essential for nerve regeneration following a nerve crush injury. This study was conducted to determine if apo E is essential for nerve regeneration after nerve transection and interposition nerve autograft. Nerve regeneration of transgenic apo E-deficient mice was compared with control mice after a sciatic nerve neurolysis and repair and interposition autograft. Histomorphometric assessment and histology were performed on distal nerve segments to evaluate nerve regeneration. Apo E-deficient mice demonstrated no difference in total fiber number or nerve fiber width when compared with controls; however, the nerve fiber density and percent neural tissue of apo E-deficient mice were significantly less than controls following nerve repair. Apo E deficiency does not affect nerve regeneration. It is likely that the low nerve fiber density and the low percent neural tissue associated with apo E-deficiency result from impairment in the disposal of myelin debris.