Myogenin expression in facial muscle following damage to the facial nerve

Abstract

Conclusion: Gene analysis of facial muscle may be a promising way to detect denervation of facial muscle, helping to determine the prognosis of a facial palsy early in its progression. Objectives: In the treatment of intratemporal facial palsy, early diagnosis of neural damage is important in deciding about therapeutic modalities. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the severity of facial palsy and the level of myogenin expressed in the facial muscle. Methods: The animals were divided into two groups, depending on whether the facial nerve was resected or compressed. Expression of myogenin mRNAwas examined using real-time PCR and in situ hybridization of the facial muscle following the nerve damage. Results: Increased expression of myogenin was observed in the nerve resection group, while no such increase was seen in the nerve compression group. In situ hybridization indicated that myogenin was expressed exclusively in satellite cells around the denervated muscle fibers.

Keywords::

• Gene expression
• real-time PCR
• in situ hybridization
• facial palsy

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (19791210).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.