Immunohistological Detection of Active Satellite Cellsin Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia after Parenteral Administration of Lipopolysaccharide and during Aging.

Immunohistochemical reaction to glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP) is widely used for identification of activated satellite cells in sensory ganglia. We used this marker in studies of satellite cells activation in dorsal root ganglia during aging and under conditions of experimental systemic inflammation: in young (4 months) and aged (18-19 months) rats and animals with experimental LPS-induced systemic inflammation. The number of GFAP+ satellite cells increased significantly after parenteral injection of LPS and during aging, which can indicate similarity of mechanisms of reactive glial changes during aging and systemic inflammation.