Abstract:

Objective    To establish a stable and reliable T-cell immune deficiency mouse model with facial nerve axotomy by the application and assessment with morphological methods  on the immune deficiency mouse with facial nerve transection, so as to provide an experimental foundation for revealing the latent neuroimmunological mechanism of traumatic facial paralysis. Methods    The T-cell deficiency mice were subjected to a right facial nerve axotomy. Fluorogold retrotracer was used at a designated time. Two weeks after the operation, the slices of the brain stem were collected and the facial moto-neurons were observed and counted. Also, the injured facial nerve of axotomy nude mice was assessed with osmic acid staining. Results     All the mice presented typical facial paralysis after the transection of the facial nerve. Remarkable degenerations were observed in the distal end of the transected facial nerve on the 14th day after the operation. There was different status among the motoneurons in the facial nuclus, such as healthful, injured or dead. Significant difference in the number of facial moto-neurons between the nude mouse group and the wild type mouse group was noticed. Conclusion    The T-cell immune deficiency mouse model with facial nerve axotomy is effectiveand feasible. It provides an experimental foundation for revealing the latent neuroimmunological mechanism centering on T cell behavior of the pathogenesis and progression of facial nerve trauma.

Key words: Facial nerve; T-lymphocytes; Immune deficiency; Animal models; Traumatic