VISUALIZATION OF AXONAL DEGENERATION AFTER OPTIC-NERVE LESION IN RAT BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LABELING FOR MYELIN BASIC-PROTEIN (MBP)

Immunohistochemical staining of myelin basic protein (MBP) was followe d during axonal degeneration of rat retinal fibers within the first 3 weeks after injury. Wallerian degeneration of rat retinal fibers was e licited by unilateral transection or crush injury of optic nerve. MBP- labelled fibers in central retinal pathways and visual nuclei showed s equential changes of the myelin sheath, such as swelling at 1-2 days p ost lesion (dpl), granular staining at 4-8 dpl, and granular debris fo rmation at 21 dpl. Consequently, immunostaining for MBP could be used to identify early stages of degenerating myelin and persisting myelin debris which is known to contain neurite growth inhibitors.