NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 28 - Application of a functional mimic of a human natural killer (HNK) cell glycan to the severed femoral nerves in mice results in restoration of near-normal function, German scientists report in the October issue of the Annals of Neurology.

Dr. Melitta Schachner of the Hamburg University and colleagues have identified a "molecular cue" in an acidic glycan of HNK, known as HNK-1 epitope, that is involved in motor nerve reinnervation.

The researchers say the glycan is found in the myelin profiles of motor neurons but is not present on sensory neurons.

In vitro experiments have shown that motor neurons coated with HNK-1 carbohydrate have an acceleration of neurite outgrowth.

Dr. Schachner and colleagues applied cuffs coated with HNK-1 peptide, a scrambled peptide or a vehicle substrate to the severed femoral nerves of adult mice.

Quadriceps muscle function recovered to 93% of normal with application of HNK-1 compared with recovery of 71% or 76% with the scrambled peptide or the control substrate, respectively.

"Application of glycomimetics or, possibly, small organic compounds mimicking the structure of the HNK-1 glycan, during nerve repair in humans is feasible," the investigators write. Therapeutic applications "are relevant to injuries of the peripheral nerves in general rather than being limited to the femoral nerve."

Ann Neurol 2006;60:430-437.

Reuters Health Information 2006. © 2006 Reuters Ltd