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Tongue and hypoglossal morphology after intralingual cholera toxin B – saporin injection
Author(s) -
Lind Lori A.,
Lever Teresa E.,
Nichols Nicole L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.27131
Subject(s) - saporin , tongue , cholera toxin , hypoglossal nerve , hypoglossal nucleus , genioglossus , dysphagia , anatomy , pathology , biology , immunohistochemistry , medicine , central nervous system , neuroscience , endocrinology , immunology , surgery , antibody , immunotoxin , monoclonal antibody
We recently developed an inducible model of dysphagia using intralingual injection of cholera toxin B conjugated to saporin (CTB‐SAP) to cause death of hypoglossal neurons. In this study we aimed to evaluate tongue morphology and ultrastructural changes in hypoglossal neurons and nerve fibers in this model. Methods Tissues were collected from 20 rats (10 control and 10 CTB‐SAP animals) on day 9 post‐injection. Tongues were weighed, measured, and analyzed for microscopic changes using laminin immunohistochemistry. Hypoglossal neurons and axons were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Results The cross‐sectional area of myofibers in the posterior genioglossus was decreased in CTB‐SAP–injected rats. Degenerative changes were observed in both the cell bodies and distal axons of hypoglossal neurons. Discussion Preliminary results indicate this model may have translational application to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases resulting in tongue dysfunction and associated dysphagia.