Deafferentation-Induced Redistribution of MMP-2, but Not of MMP-9, Depends on the Emergence of GAP-43 Positive Axons in the Adult Rat Cochlear Nucleus
Figure 2
Semithin sections through AVCN stained for MMP-9 and MMP-2 immunoreactivity following cochlear ablation, and their quantitative evaluation. (a) By POD7, MMP-2 immunoreactivity showed up as particles. (b) Counterstaining of the same section with methylene blue, visualizing cellular boundaries. Lines indicate the regions of interest (ROI) sparing the cell nucleus (nu). (c) Same section as in (a) with the superimposed ROIs. Particles detected by computer-aided image analysis are indicated in red. Scale bar for (a)–(c) 20 μm. (d) Subcellular redistribution of MMP-9 immunoreactive particles in AVCN neurons in control animals (ctrl) and at POD1, 3 and 7 following cochlear ablation. Bars indicate particle density in ROI1 and ROI2. ns designates insignificant changes within ROI2 at any time. (e), (f) Changes in MMP-9 particle density in cytoplasm (e) and neuropil (f) of AVCN neurons in controls (ctrl) and by POD1, 3 and 7 following cochlear ablation. Bars indicate left-to-right (l/r) or ipsilateral-to-contralateral (i/c) ratio of particle density. (g) Subcellular redistribution of MMP-2 immunoreactive particles within the cytoplasm of AVCN neurons in control animals (ctrl) and by POD1, 3 and 7. (h), (i) Changes in MMP-2 particle density in cytoplasm (h) and neuropil (i) of AVCN neurons in control animals (ctrl) and by POD1, 3 and 7 following cochlear ablation.
