Figure 4

Micrographs showing SSeCKS-immunoreacted sections of L4 DRG and spinal cord superficial dorsal horn from control and capsaicin-treated rats. (A) In control animals, robust SSeCKS-immunofluorescence is present within Lissauer's tract (LT) and lamina I, II and dorsal lamina III. In the same section of lumbar spinal cord, brightly labeled, rostrocaudally oriented axon bundles are observed ventral to the central canal (Inset A). (B) In capsaicin-injected animals, SSeCKS-immunofluorescence within Lissauer's tract and lamina I, II and III is depleted. In the same section, the intensity and abundance of SSeCKS-labeled axons ventral to the central canal is greatly reduced (Inset B). (C) In ganglia sections from control animals, SSeCKS immunolabeling can be observed in the cytoplasm of small cells and associated with the perimeter of both small and large cells. (D) In ganglia sections from capsaicin-injected animals, a decrease in the number of small cells was quantified along with a corresponding lack of SSeCKS immunolabeling in the cytoplasm of small cells.