Expression of Caveolin-3 in the Myelin Sheath of Peripheral Nerve

Objective: To exhibit the caveolin-3 immunoreactivities (IRs) in the peripheral nerve, which was previously known to be present only within the muscle and to be a causative agent of myopathy Method: The sciatic nerves of the rat were removed after the perfusion and frozen after cryoprotection by sucrose. The tissue specimens were cut on cryostat and immunostained with anti-caveolin-3 and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) antibodies. The sections were observed with a fluorescence microscope. Results: We detected caveolin-3 IRs in myelin sheath of the peripheral nerves, while GAP IRs were detected in the axon. Caveolin-3 IRs were active in the rat of postnatal 1 week, but they were reduced in the rat of postnatal 3 week and disappeared in that of 5 week. Conclusion: We detected caveolin-3 IRs in the myelin sheath of peripheral nerve. Caveolin-3 might play roles in the early myelination of peripheral nerve.