The epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor gefitinib enhances in vitro and in vivo sensory axon regeneration and functional recovery following transection in a mouse median nerve injury model.

Introduction: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; ErbB1), a membrane bound receptor tyrosine kinase, is hypothesized to have an inhibitory influence on peripheral nerve regeneration. This study examines the impact of EGFR inhibition on nerve regeneration using the commercially available small molecule inhibitor gefitinib.

Method: In vitro assays included neurite outgrowth of cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from adult C57Bl/6 wildtype mice on immobilized chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG).