Research Article

Locating the Site of Neuropathic Pain In Vivo Using MMP-12-Targeted Magnetic Nanoparticles

Figure 2

Macrophage infiltration and MMP-12 upregulation occurred in injured nerves. (a–d) Representative images of immunohistochemistry staining on consecutive sections for macrophage marker CD68 and MMP-12, in the left L5 spinal nerves distal to the DRG, 1 week after SNL or sham surgery (CD68 or MMP-12: red, nuclei: purple, scale bar = 20 μm). (e) CD68- and (f) MMP-12-labelled areas were quantified for SNL and sham rats’ spinal nerves ( per group). Statistically significant difference in the left L5 spinal nerve CD68-labelled area was determined by Mann–Whitney U test ().