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Figure 2. Induction of c-fos expression by brushing. Paired differential interference contrast (DIC) and fluorescence (c-fos) confocal images are shown. (A,B) In the undisturbed maxillary gingiva epithelium, very few nuclei labeled with an antibody against c-fos are observed in either the epithelium or connective tissue. (C,D) In the undisturbed tongue, very few c-fos-positive nuclei are observed in the cells of the epithelium, connective tissue, or skeletal muscle. (E,F) In the brushed mandibular gingiva, many c-fos-positive nuclei are observed in both the epithelium and connective tissue. (G,H) In the brushed tongue, many c-fos-positive nuclei are observed in cells of the epithelium, connective tissue, and skeletal muscle. (I) Quantitative analysis of c-fos expression as a function of brushing. The number of c-fos-positive cells counted in standardized measurement areas (200 µm X 50 µm) over the gingival epithelium (Gingiva) and over tongue skeletal muscle (Tongue) are indicated for undisturbed tissue (Undisturbed) and brushed tissue (Brushed). Error bar = SEM; asterisk denotes a p value of < 0.001 (n = 3 animals, 5 sections each, 6 images each section) when paired with the undisturbed (not brushed) control, Mann-Whitney test. Magnification bar = 20 µm.
