Figure 3
OX-42 immunohistochemistry during end stage disease demonstrates extensive microglial cytoplasmic fragmentation (A-E). A, D, two different views of spinal ventral gray matter demonstrate loss of microglial cell integrity and widespread punctate staining indicative of cytorrhexis. Note that many neurons remain stained with cresyl violet. B, enlargement of framed area in A shows detail of microglial cytorrhexis, including a disintegrating giant cell on the right. E, enlargement of framed area in D shows detail of microglial cytorrhexis. C, motor neuron in SOD1G93A rat reveals intense hyperchromasia with cresyl violet and nuclear cap. F, normal motor neuron and microglia from wild type spinal cord. Scale bars: 40 μm (A, D); 20 μm (B, C, E, F).