Fig. 7.

The effects of prior lymphadenectomy to lumbar lymph nodes on mSNI-induced spinal sensitizations. a–d Representative images and quantitative presentations for temporal dynamics of astrocyte activation in the sural projection areas of L4 SC-DHs before and after mSNIs in lymphadenectomized or sham-operated animals to LLNs (n = 5/group). ^*P < 0.05; ^**P < 0.01; ^***P < 0.001; lymphadenectomy versus sham operation. e–h Somatotopically PKCγ expression in PKCγ⁺ excitatory interneurons in the inner lamina II within the gray matter of L4 spinal cord dorsal horns before mSNIs and 7 days after mSNIs in lymphadenectomized or sham-operated animals to LLNs (n = 5/group). i MPI of PKCγ staining in the sural projection areas of L4 SC-DHs before mSNIs and 7 days after mSNIs in lymphadenectomized or sham-operated animals to LLNs (n = 5/group). ^***P < 0.001; after versus before mSNIs. ^###P < 0.001; lymphadenectomy versus sham operation. LLN lumbar lymph node, mSNI modified spared nerve injury, MPI mean pixel intensity