Muscle-specific protein MDP77 specifically promotes motor nerve regeneration in rats.

This study has examined the effects of recombinant human MDP77 (rhMDP77) on sciatic motor nerve regeneration in vivo. We carried out bridge grafting (14 mm) into the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats using silicone tubes containing a mixture of type-I collagen and 0, 5, 10, or 20 microg/ml of rhMDP77, or containing phosphate-buffered solution (N = 6 in each group). Electrophysiological and histological evaluations carried out 12 weeks after implantation suggest that rhMDP77 has a positive effect on terminal and collateral sprouting of regenerating nerves and thereby promotes motor nerve regeneration in a dose-dependent manner.