Fig. 1

Axon debris removal is tightly linked with axon regeneration initiation. a Two genetic pathways work redundantly or in parallel to remove apoptotic cells in C. elegans. b Schematic of a cross-sectioned animal. The ALM axon and various engulfing cells were shown. A lateral view of regenerated ALM axon and resulting axon debris was shown following laser axotomy. c The percentage of animals retaining axon debris surrounding the lesion site or initiating axon regeneration was determined at various time points following laser surgery. The percentage of animals retaining axon debris decreased from 89.47 to 0% (Blue circles) while the percentage of animals initiating axon regeneration increased from 21.05 to 96% (Red triangles) within 12 h following laser axotomy. The N number represents the number of animals analyzed. Error bars represent SEP. d By 12 h after laser surgery, axon debris was removed completely in wild-type animals carrying the axonal marker, zdIs4[Pmec-4::GFP]. e Axon debris remained surrounding the lesion site in ced-1(e1735) mutants 12 h after laser surgery. Dorsal is up; anterior is to the left in all images. Red arrows indicate lesion sites and yellow arrowheads point to axon debris. Scale bar: 20 μm