Figure 8
From: Enhanced neuronal Met signalling levels in ALS mice delay disease onset
Neuronal-enhanced Met signalling levels in ALS mice improves survival and locomotor performance by delaying disease onset. (a) Survival analysis of Nes-R26Met-SOD (red) and SOD (green) mice (n=40) showing a delay of 13 days of average life span. (b) The loss of 10% body weight was 13 day delayed in Nes-R26Met-SOD (n=11) compared with SOD (n=17) mice. (c) Body weight loss was not significantly different in Nes-R26Met-SOD compared with SOD mice once the disease started (P>0.05). (d and e) Motor performance analysis using a 1 meter swimming tank device. Panel (d) shows a delay of 14 days in motor defect onset of Nes-R26Met-SOD mice (n=11) compared with SOD transgenics (n=17). Panel (e) shows the analysis of the duration of locomotor defects with not significant differences between groups (P>0.05). (f–i) Comparison of motor performance using the footprint test. Analysis of the forepaw/hindpaw overlap revealed a 19 day improvement in Nes-R26Met-SOD mice (n=11) compared with SOD transgenics (n=17; f). No significant differences were found during disease progression (g; P>0.05). Step length defects also appeared with a delay of 9 days in Nes-R26Met-SOD compared with SOD mice (h). Again, no changes were found during disease progression (i; P>0.05). a, b, d, f and h are Kaplan–Meier curves. Values are expressed as means±S.E.M.
