Rat sensory and motor nerve fibroblasts LC-MSMS

In this study, a quantitative proteomic technique based on isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) was used to compare the proteome of cultured sensory and motor nerve fibroblasts (Fbs). Among a total of 2597 overlapping proteins identified, we obtained 148 differentially expressed proteins, of which 116 proteins were significantly higher expressed in sensory Fbs, and 32 proteins were significantly higher expressed in motor Fbs. Western blot and qPCR analysis were applied to validate differentially expressed proteins. Functional categorization indicated that differentially expressed proteins were linked to a diverse array of biological processes , including regeneration, axon guidance, cytoskeleton organization, cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, and tissue remodeling, which might play a critical role in the specificity of peripheral nerve regeneration. Furthermore, following co-culture of motor neurons with motor or sensory Fbs , motor Fbs significantly enhanced neurite growth than sensory Fbs. These findings indicated that nerve Fbs expressed the distinct motor and sensory phenotypes involved in different patterns of protein expression, biological processes, and effects on neurons.