Figure 7.
MAPK/ERK induction disrupts Remak bundle formation and small-fiber reinnervation after injury. A, Electron micrograph showing disruption of Remak bundle formation with decreased C-fiber numbers per Remak bundle. Arrows show Remak bundles in controls and mutants. Visible formation of elongated and supernumerary SCs failing to assemble into normal Remak bundles (arrowhead). Scale bar, 5 μm. B, Photomicrographs of transverse sections of ipsilateral skin biopsy specimens stained with PGP9.5. Quantification of epidermal reinnervation, in IENF per millimeter, showed a decrease in mutant mice. n = 3 mice/group. Arrows point to nerve fibers crossing the epidermis. *p < 0.05, two-tailed unpaired t test. Scale bar, 15 μm. Error bars indicate SEM.