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 6
Statistical evaluation of the modulation of MMP-9- and MMP-2-staining intensity in the cytoplasm of AVCN neurons following cochlear ablation (CA) with or without a preceding complete lesion of VNTB (KAcL). (a, b) Bars indicate ipsilateral-to-contralateral ratios (i/c) of gray tone means of MMP-9 (a) and MMP-2 (b) measured in the cytoplasm of AVCN neurons (test field indicated in Figure 1(e)) following cochlear ablation or combination of KA injection with complete lesion of VNTB with cochlear ablation (KAcL + CA). The dashed lines mark a i/c ratio of 1, indicating control level. Whereas VNTB lesions have no influence on the loss and regain of MMP-9 from neuronal cytoplasm after cochlear ablation, MMP-2 levels return to control level by POD7 only if the reinnervation is prevented. Asterisks indicate significant differences among groups, number signs (hash symbols) indicate significant differences against control.
