Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (7): 2108-2115.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-22-00867

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FK506 contributes to peripheral nerve regeneration by inhibiting neuroinflammatory responses and promoting neuron survival

Yuhui Kou1, 2, 3, #, Zongxue Jin2, 4, #, Yusong Yuan5, #, Bo Ma1, 3, Wenyong Xie1 , Na Han2, 3, *   

  1. 1 Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China;  2 National Center for Trauma Medicine, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China;  3 Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China;  4 Trauma Medicine Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China;  5 Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
  • Online:2025-07-15 Published:2024-11-27
  • Contact: Na Han, PhD, hannaqa@hotmail.com.
  • Supported by:
    This study was continuously supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81971177 (to YK); the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, No. 7222198 (to NH); and the Peking University People’s Hospital Research and Development Fund, No. RDX2021-01 (to YK).

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Abstract: FK506 (Tacrolimus) is a systemic immunosuppressant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FK506 has been shown to promote peripheral nerve regeneration, however, its precise mechanism of action and its pathways remain unclear. In this study, we established a rat model of sciatic nerve injury and found that FK506 improved the morphology of the injured sciatic nerve, increased the numbers of motor and sensory neurons, reduced inflammatory responses, markedly improved the conduction function of the injured nerve, and promoted motor function recovery. These findings suggest that FK506 promotes peripheral nerve structure recovery and functional regeneration by reducing the intensity of inflammation after neuronal injury and increasing the number of surviving neurons.

Key words: FK506,  inflammation,  motor neurons,  nerve regeneration,  neuron,  peripheral nerve injury,  sensory neurons