Figure 1.

Systemic artemin administration promotes axonal growth across the DREZ into the spinal cord. (a) Immunofluorescence labeling of peripheral axons in the DREZ with NF200, CGRP and P2X₃ 2 weeks after sham injury or DRC injury and immediate treatment with six subcutaneous injections of artemin or vehicle. Scale bar represents 100 µm. (b) Quantification of axonal density in the DREZ in a constant area. * indicates a significantly (P < 0.001) greater axonal density in rats with DRC and artemin treatment compared with the same region from rats with DRC and vehicle treatment. (c) Immunofluorescence labeling for CGRP, P2X₃ and CTB in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord after sham or DRC injury and treatment with six subcutaneous injections of artemin or vehicle, immediately or 2 d after injury. All images were taken 2 weeks after surgery, except those in the far right column, which were taken 6 months after surgery. Scale bar represents 200 µm. (d) Quantification of axonal density in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in a constant area. * indicates a significantly (P < 0.001) greater axonal density in rats with DRC and artemin treatment compared with the same region from rats with DRC and vehicle treatment. Error bars, s.e.m.