Figure 7

CCI-mediated mRNA expression of spinal EAATs in LEW, FIS and WIS rats. The relative expression level of (A) the neuronal (EAAT3) and (B) the glial glutamate transporter (EAAT2) was determined in the spinal cord level L4/5 of Lewis (LEW), Fischer (FIS) and Wistar (WIS) rats at days 4 and 21 after chronic constriction injury of the right sciatic nerve. (A) EAAT3 mRNA was downregulated in the LEW strain already after four days and still after 21 days, in WIS only after 21 days, but was unchanged in FIS. (B) EAAT2 mRNA expression was also decreased in LEW rats at d4 and d21. In WIS it was first downregulated but increased after 21 days and in the FIS strain the glial glutamate transporter was nearly unchanged early after surgery but highly upregulated at the later time point. The relative expression level indicates the fold difference of the CCI group to the sham-operated control group (control?=?1). Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.