Sciatic axotomy compromises axonal transport of transganglionic tracer BSI-B4 from the soma to the central terminals of C fibre afferents.

The C afferent specific lectin BSI-B4 was used to examine the effects of sciatic axotomy on axonal transport by the C afferent subpopulation. From about 4 days after sciatic nerve lesion, BSI-B4 injected into the peripheral nerve is transported only as far as the neuronal cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglion. The previous demonstrations of A beta afferent terminal sprouting into lamina II, and the atrophy of lamina II terminals, in response to sciatic lesions may be related to the inability of C afferents to maintain transganglionic transport.