Fig. 3: The expression of GLT1, an astrocytic glutamate transporter, is selectively reduced in AIE mice and GLT1 conditional knockdown induces anxiogenic phenotypes.

a The quantification of glutamate levels in the dorsal thalamic area including PVT. Representative expression of GLT1 (as known as EAAT2), GLAST (as known as EAAT1), and GAPDH (b) and pooled data (c, d) of western blots showing that the GLT1 expression in the PVT of AIE mice is selectively reduced compared to that of the CON mice. Representative figures (e) and pooled data (f) confirming the reduction of GLT1 in the conditional GLT1 knockdown mice (GLT1^cHET). Representative figures (g) and pooled data (h) showing the selective reduction of GLT1 in astrocytes, not in neurons of PVT. i–k Non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measurement showing the increase in glutamate levels in the dorsal thalamic area, including PVT of GLT1^cHET. l–q Representative traces (l, o) and pooled data (m, n, p, q) showing the anxiogenic profiles of GLT1^cHET in the open field test (l–n) and elevated plus maze test (o–q). Female (circles) and male (triangles). Data represented as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001. Fig. 3i, l, and o were created using BioRender.com.