Figure 2

Microglial reaction in response to mental nerve ligation at 14 days post-injury. A). Immunostaining for Iba-1 in four trigeminal subnuclei, including principal sensory nucleus (Pr5), spinal oralis (Sp5O), spinal interpolaris (Sp5I) and spinal caudalis (Sp5C). A significant increase in Iba-1 immunoreactivity was observed in nerve injured rats, particularly in Pr5 and Sp5C, together with remarkable changes in microglial cell shape (inserts). Note there are no significant changes of Iba-1 staining and microglial cells shape in medullar CVOs, area postrema (AP). Diagrams were adapted and modified from [59]. Orange shadowed area indicated where the pictures were taken. Scale bar: 50 μm B). The density of Iba-1+ cells in Pr5 and Sp5C areas was significant higher in injured group than that of sham-operated. Data are expressed as Mean ± SEM. ### P < 0.001, compared to sham-operated group.