Use of Fluorochrome-Labeled Inhibitors of Caspases to Detect Neuronal Apoptosis in the Whole-Mounted Lamprey Brain after Spinal Cord Injury

Figure 3

Photomicrographs of dorsal views of whole-mounted brains of larval sea lampreys show activated caspases in identified reticulospinal neurons after a complete SC transection as revealed by FAM-VAD-FMK labeling (green channel). (a) Photomicrograph of the rhombencephalon of a larval sea lamprey shows FAM-VAD-FMK labeling in the Mth, B1, B3, and B4 neurons 2 weeks after a complete SC transection. Note also the presence of labeled small-unidentified neurons of the MRRN. (b) Photomicrograph of the rhombencephalon of a larval sea lamprey shows the absence of FAM-VAD-FMK labeling in the Mth or bulbar neurons of noninjured animals. (c) Photomicrograph of the rhombencephalon of a larval sea lamprey shows the absence of FAM-VAD-FMK labeling after a complete SC transection in brains incubated with Z-VAD-FMK prior to the incubation with the FLICA reagent. (d) Photomicrograph of the rostral rhombencephalon of a larval sea lamprey shows the presence of FAM-VAD-FMK labeling in the I1 and I2 neurons 2 weeks after a complete SC transection. The arrow points to a nonlabeled I5 cell. (e) Photomicrograph of the mesencephalon/diencephalon of a larval sea lamprey shows FAM-VAD-FMK labeling in the M3 and M2 neurons 2 weeks after a complete SC transection. Rostral is up in all figures. The ventricle is at the right in all figures. For abbreviations, see list.