C6ST expression in sciatic nerve explant culture of adult rats

Our observation of upregulated expression of chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase (C6ST) in Schwann cells and macrophages of crushed sciatic nerves suggested that these cells entered the reactive state. To test this, we examined the early post-crush nerves for C6ST expression. As early as day 1 post-crush, in situ hybridization (ISH) showed upregulated C6ST transcripts in GFAP-positive Schwann cells. To find if these were expressed by migratory Schwann cells, we focused on cells that migrated from explant cultures of sciatic nerve segments. As fibroblasts were earlier migrants out of the explants than Schwann cells, we harvested the fibroblasts for our study as well. RT-PCR showed for C6ST revealed expression in the migrating fibroblasts, contrasting the null expression in established fibroblast cultures. Schwann cells that migrated out of the explants later than the fibroblasts showed strong expression of C6ST with ISH. Our preliminary results suggest that C6ST expression in reactive Schwann cells and fibroblasts following crush injury. (SPON:The Hong Kong Society of Neurosciences). Supported by RGC-HKU7249/01