Differential changes in the expression level of M-Cadherin in denervation and reinnervation processes following nerve injury

The localization and the expression level of M-cadherin in skeletal muscle was investigated following nerve injury. The rats used in the study, in which the sciatic nerves were cut, were divided into two groups; the nerve was sutured (sutured group) or not sutured (unsutured group). In both groups, the level of M-cadherin expression decreased after the first postoperative week. The decreased level returned to the control level in the sutured group, but it did not return to the control level in the unsutured group. Immunofluorescence staining was observed around the muscular membrane at the 9th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and 24th postoperative weeks in the sutured group. These results suggest that M-cadherin plays a role in maintaining intercellular adhesion around the muscular membrane.