Figure 7. Paclitaxel induces M1 dominant macrophage recruitment in DRG neurons which is inhibited by minoxidil.

(a) Representative images of immunofluorescent detection of CD68 (macrophage marker; green), NOS2 (M1-like macrophage marker; red), and (b) CD68 (macrophage marker; green), Arg-1 (M2-like macrophage marker; red) in DRG neurons at the 7^th day after first paclitaxel (4.5 mg∙kg⁻¹) or minoxidil (25 mg∙kg⁻¹) prior to paclitaxel treatment. Inserts show the lower magnification of DRG sections and the dash squares represent the enlarged view. Scale bar in (a) and (b), 50 μm. (c) The density of macrophage and (d) the number of NOS2⁺/CD68⁺ and Arg-1⁺/CD68⁺ macrophages were analyzed in DRG neurons at the 7^th day after paclitaxel treatment. Each value represents mean ± SEM from at least 5 different samples. **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001 versus paclitaxel treatment, by two-way ANOVA.