Figure 2

Taxol rescue of kainic acid induced axon degeneration. a. Taxol applied to axon or somatodendritic compartment alone did not induce axonal fragmentation. b. Kainic acid applied to the somatodendritic compartment induced a significant increase in axonal fragmentation in the axon compartment. Axonal, but not somatodendritic, taxol significantly protected the axons from kainic acid induced axon fragmentation. c. βIII tubulin immunoreactivity in the axon compartment demonstrates extensive fragmentation following kainic acid treatment relative to vehicle treatment (control). Axonal taxol treatment rescued the axons from fragmentation. d. Phase contrast image of control (vehicle) treated chamber shows healthy soma and unfragmented axons. Following kainic acid exposure, cell soma appear bright and condensed indicating degeneration, however taxol in the axon compartment maintains the integrity of the axons. KA, kainic acid. * Significantly different from control. # Significantly different from kainic acid treatment. P < 0.05. Mean values shown ± SEM. Scale bars: c, 20 μm; d, 100 μm.