Abnormal innervation to the spleen in the absence of Egr3 and sympathetic neuron death.

(A) Sympathetic innervation to the spleen was highly diminished in Egr3-deficient mice (3-B−; DτlZ+) compared to control (3+B−; DτlZ+) mice. Note the markedly decreased lacZ reaction product in the Egr3-deficient spleen (right compared to left) which correlated with decreased subcapsular (B') lacZ reaction (arrows) and (C') TH+ terminal axon innervation in Egr3-deficient mice (3-B−; DτlZ+) relative to (B, C) control (3+B−; DτlZ+) mice. In Egr3-deficient spleens sympathetic innervation was reduced by >70%. (results of TH immunofluorescence quantification representing the mean ± standard error from 3 4–8 week old mice of each genotype; * = p<0.0001, Student's t test; scale bar = A, 1 mm; B, B', 0.5 mm; C, C', 10 µm).