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Fig. 4 | Arthritis Research & Therapy

Fig. 4

From: Antigen-induced arthritis in rats is associated with increased growth-associated protein 43–positive intraepidermal nerve fibres remote from the joint

Fig. 4

Intraepidermal nerve fibres (IENFs) in ipsilateral rat paw pad skin. Nerve fibres immunopositive for growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in control rats (a), acute antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) rats (b), and chronic AIA rats (c). Turquoise arrowheads indicate fine-calibre IENFs that were counted according to the European Federation of Neurological Societies' counting rules, thus visibly crossing the basement membrane between epidermis and dermis. For evaluation of IENF density, the focus of the microscope was adjusted while we analysed the individual sections. Therefore, not all IENFs that are marked by turquoise arrowheads can be followed all the way through the epidermis in the images. Thicker fibres along the dermal–epidermal junction are subepidermal nerve fibres. Numbers of IENFs that reacted with antibodies against GAP-43 increased significantly after induction of AIA. Original magnification × 40

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Arthritis Research & Therapy

ISSN: 1478-6362

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