Figure 9
From: Absence of IFNγ expression induces neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord of adult mice
Qualitative and quantitative ultrastructural analysis of every input to the surface of α-motoneurons one week after sciatic nerve axotomy. (A) Synaptic retraction following axotomy in the C57BL/6J lesioned (ipsilateral) side. The arrows indicate the retraction of the nerve terminal from the surface of motoneurons. (B) Presynaptic terminals in apposition to motoneuron (Mn) membrane of C57BL/6J contralateral side. (C) Synaptic elimination following axotomy in IFNγ-KO lesioned side. *terminal totally retracted, ** terminal partially retracted. (D) Synaptic covering in the IFNγ-KO contralateral side. (E) Detailed analysis of the covering and number of synaptic boutons in IFNγ-KO mice. Those animals showed a lower detachment of synaptic terminals and a significant reduced number of synaptic terminals in apposition (F), regardless the nerve lesion. (G) Percentage of synaptic covering of F, S and C-terminals on unlesioned and lesioned sides. (H) Graphs of terminal numbers/100 μm of motoneurons membrane. Note a greater loss of F-type of terminals in IFNγ-KO mice. p < 0.05(*). Scale bar 1 μm.