Figure 8.

Recovery of deprivation-induced reduction of NR2B-expression and CREB phosphorylation. Sections from mice taken after 5 d of reversible naris occlusion (RNO) and 10 d of recovery (Rev) were processed for NR2B, CREB, and phospho-CREB (p-CREB) IHC. A–H, Reduction in NR2B immunoreactivity was observed in the deprived bulb (E, F) and its ipsilateral PC (G, H) compared with the undeprived bulb (A, B) and its PC (C, D). I–L, NR2B expression was also recovered to the same as control at 10 d after reinstatement in OB (I, J) and PC (K, L). N, Q, R, After 5 d RNO, phospho-CREB immunostaining (Q) but not CREB (N) was reduced in layer IIb and this reduction was reversed at 10 d after removal of plugs (R). S, The density of total nuclei and CREB/phospho-CREB-positive cells per unit volume was stereologically quantified in layers IIa (right) and IIb (left) for CREB (top) and phospho-CREB (bottom). Five days after RNO, phospho-CREB-immunoreactive cell number was significantly reduced in layer IIb compared with the control, and the recovery on retrieval of activity was significant (**p < 0.01). Data are means + SEM (n = 3). Scale bar, 50 μm.