Figure 4.

Microglial process convergence onto injured axonal swellings occurs 1 day following cFPI in the micro pig. Representative reconstructions of (A,B) MBP+ intact myelinated axons (red) or (C,D) APP+ injured axonal swellings (green) and Iba-1+ microglia (white) in the thalamus of injured micro pigs 1 day post-cFPI. DAPI-labeled nuclei are in blue. Bar graphs depicting the average number of (E) total microglial process contacts, (F) terminal processes, (G) process cups and (H) process passes of Iba-1+ microglial that contact either MBP+ intact fibers or APP+ injured axonal swellings 1 day following TBI. As previously seen, total contacts between microglial processes and injured axonal swellings was increased in the micro pig thalamus 1 day following cFPI. While there were not differences between intact and injured axonal segments in regards to microglial process passes or process cups, the increase in total process contacts was mirrored in the number of terminal processes contacting injured axonal swellings. Graphs depicts the mean ± standard error of the mean. ^*p < 0.05. Scale bar: 5 μm.