Figure 4

Activation of the NK1 receptor induces expression of the ECR2-Tac1prom-LacZ transgene. A. Fluorescent immunohistochemical analysis of 10 μm sections from ECR2-TAC1prom-LacZ transgenic DRG explants with (iii and iv) anti-SP and (v and vi) anti-βgal antibody (i, iii, v) before and (ii, iv, vi) after 24 hours incubation with 100 nM NK1 agonist [Sar9, Met(02)11]-SP. Ai and ii represent merged images showing cellular co-localisation of NK1 and SP (yellow). B graphical analysis of the size distribution (in microns) of neurones within ECR2-TAC1prom-LacZ transgenic DRG explants showing the proportion of cells expressing both SP and βgal expression before and after [Sar9, Met(01)11]-SP treatment demonstrating a shift in the proportion of larger diameter cells expressing SP and the receptor (n = 3, No cells counted/measured = 407, *; p < 0.05).