Fig. 10

Elimination of microglia by PLX3397 improves RCS-induced pain behavior. a A vehicle-treated mouse (VEH), showing the normal localization of Iba1-positive microglia. b Mice treated with 3 days of PLX3397 (PLX) before RCS (Pre-RCS), showing that almost all microglia have disappeared. The areas corresponding to the medial part of the nucleus proprius in the DH (area 1), the intermediate column (area 2), and the dorsal part of the VH (area 3) were used for the quantification in e. c After 7 days of RCS loading (Post-RCS) with vehicle treatment (VEH), there was the microglial accumulation in both the DH and VH. d Similar accumulations of Iba1-positive microglia were not observed after RCS with PLX treatment, although a small number of activated Iba1-positive microglia were spread evenly throughout the spinal cord. e Numbers of Iba1-positive cells in areas 1–3, shown in a. n = 5 mice for pre-RCS VEH and PLX3397 group. n = 6 mice for post-RCS VEH and PLX3397 group. *p < 0.01, **p < 0.001, ***p < 0.0001. Error bars indicate the SEM. Unpaired t-test. f Changes in paw withdrawal with microglial elimination in the PLX3397 group. n = 6 mice, *p < 0.0001. Error bars indicate the SEM, n.d., not detected and n.s., not significant. Paired t-test. The white dotted lines indicate the edge of spinal cord in a–d. Scale bars = 200 μm in a–d