Tracking Epidermal Nerve Fiber Changes in Asian Macaques: Tools and Techniques for Quantitative Assessment

Lisa M. Mangus, Jamie L. Dorsey, Rachel L. Weinberg, Gigi J. Ebenezer, Peter Hauer, Victoria A. Laast, Joseph L. Mankowski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs) has become a widely used clinical tool for the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy and human immunodeficiency virus-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN). To model and investigate the pathogenesis of HIV-SN using simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Asian macaques, we adapted the skin biopsy and immunostaining techniques currently employed in human patients and then developed two unbiased image analysis techniques for quantifying ENF in macaque footpad skin. This report provides detailed descriptions of these tools and techniques for ENF assessment in macaques and outlines important experimental considerations that we have identified in the course of our long-term studies. Although initially developed for studies of HIV-SN in the SIV-infected macaque model, these methods could be readily translated to a range of studies involving peripheral nerve degeneration and neurotoxicity in nonhuman primates as well as preclinical investigations of agents aimed at neuroprotection and regeneration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)904-912
Number of pages9
JournalToxicologic pathology
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • PGP9.5
  • epidermal nerve fibers
  • image analysis
  • nervous system
  • nonhuman primate
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • stereology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Toxicology
  • Cell Biology

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