Visualization of axonal degeneration after optic nerve lesion in rat by immunohistochemical labelling for myelin basic protein (MBP)

Immunohistochemical staining of myelin basic protein (MBP) was followed during axonal degeneration of rat retinal fibers within the first 3 weeks after injury. Wallerian degeneration of rat retinal fibers was elicited by unilateral transection or crush injury of optic nerve. MBP-labelled fibers in central retinal pathways and visual nuclei showed sequential changes of the myelin sheath, such as swelling at 1–2 days post lesion (dpi), granular staining at 4–8 dpi, and granular debris formation at 21 dpi. 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.