Fig. 4

Expression of capsaicin receptor TRPV1 increased after treatment in sciatic nerve, co-expression was higher on macrophages than T-cells. For better comparison, sections were always selected in similarly infiltrated nerve sections. a Inflammatory infiltrate in sciatic nerve. Expression of TRPV1 in sciatic nerve (green) and S100 (red) as marker for Schwann cells in naïve EAN and EAN treated with capsaicin. The infiltrating cells express TRPV1 even in naïve EAN and displace Schwann cells (white arrows). After capsaicin treatment, infiltrating cells show a diffuse increase of TRPV1 (white arrows). b CD3+ T-cells (red) infiltrate sciatic nerve. In naïve EAN, the T-cell-infiltrates show low expression of TRPV1. After treatment with capsaicin T-cell-infiltrates show a distinct increase of TRPV1 expression (white arrows). c Co-expression of TRPV1 (green) in infiltrates of CD68+ macrophages (red) is obvious in naïve EAN as well as in capsaicin treated animals. After treatment TRPV1 expression increased. d Rats were daily force fed with capsaicin or rapeseed oil from day − 10 p.i. to day 16 p.i. (at expected disease maximum), sciatic nerves were isolated, and RT-PCR was performed for capsaicin receptor TRPV1. TRPV1 increased after capsaicin treatment in RT-PCR. Mean values and SD were depicted ((*p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001; n = 45, n = 15/group, pooled data from three independent experiments). Scale bars indicate 50 μm in figure (a 100 μm in Figure b and c)