Expression of trophic factors receptors during reinnervation after recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

Objective An injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) triggers axonal regeneration but results in a poor functional recovery. Netrin‐1 and glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression are up‐regulated in laryngeal muscles during RLN regeneration, but the role of their receptors produced in the nucleus ambiguus is unknown. The aim of this work was to determine the timing of the production of Netrin‐1 and GDNF receptors during RLN regeneration and correlate this with the previously identified timing of up‐regulation of their trophic factors in the laryngeal muscles. Study Design Laboratory experiment with rat model. Methods The right RLN was transected and dextran amine tracer applied. At 7, 14, and 21 days postinjury (DPI), brainstems were removed and harvested. Immunostaining was performed for Netrin‐1 (deleted in colorectal carcinoma [DCC], UNC5A) and GDNF receptors (rearranged during transfection [Ret], glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐linked cell surface receptors [GFRα1, GFRα2, GFRα3]). The timing and type of receptor production relative to injury as well as their position in the nucleus ambiguus was analyzed. Results Netrin‐1 UNC5A receptors were minimal in the nucleus ambiguus during RLN regeneration. DCC, the receptor that plays an attract role, was immunopositive from 7 to 21 DPI. All GDNF receptors, except GFRα2, were clearly positive from 7 to 14 DPI. No differences of production were observed according to the position of the motor neurons in the nucleus ambiguus. Conclusion An injury of the RLN leads to a higher production of Netrin‐1 DCC and GDNF receptors in the nucleus ambiguus. The timing of receptor production is similar to up‐regulation of their trophic factors in the laryngeal muscles. Level of Evidence NA. Laryngoscope, 129:2537–2542, 2019