Axonal fluorescence quantitation provides a new approach to assess cutaneous innervation

We present a novel approach to quantify skin innervation by measuring the PGP 9.5 immunoreactive (PGP-ir) fluorescence corresponding to axons within the epidermis and dermis. The skin biopsies from 35 controls and 45 small fiber neuropathy (SFN) patients were included. In 50-μm free-floating sections, we determined the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) by direct fluorescence visualization and captured 2-μm thick individual optical sections using the same confocal microscope and magnification. We measured the fluorescence of the PGP-ir axons in both, epidermal and dermal area by using the ImageJ software. There was good interobserver and intraobserver reliability of PGP-ir measures, similar than for IENFD. The PGP-ir axons were found decreased in patients with SFN (1.1‰ and 9.0‰ respectively for epidermal and dermal area in contrast to 2.2‰ and 16.0‰, respectively to controls). The area under the ROC curve was 0.90 for the IENFD, 0.84 for epidermal PGP-ir axons and 0.70 for dermal PGP-ir axons. There was a positive correlation between the IENFD and the PGP-ir axons at epidermis (Spearman Rho = 0.66, p < 0.001) as well as for the dermal nerve length and the PGP-ir axons at dermis (Spearman Rho = 0.45, p < 0.05). This method is also particularly adequate for the quantitation of dermal nerve fibers. We conclude that quantifying the fluorescent PGP-ir axons could help to assess skin innervation (dermal and epidermal nerve fibers) in patients with SFN.

• We describe an image method to quantify the immunofluorescent axons at skin.
• The PGP-ir axons are as reproducible and reliable as the conventional IENFD.
• The epidermal PGP-ir axons provides valid data to discriminate neuropathy patients.
• To assess dermal innervation we proposed to quantify the dermal PGP-ir axons.
• This method allows for further collaborative studies.