Fig. 3: OPCs transplantation maintained the integrity of the BBB after MCAO.

a IgG staining showed that IgG protein leaked into brain tissue in Sham, Stroke + PBS and Stroke + OPC groups. Bar graph was the quantification of leaked IgG protein, indicating less IgG protein leaked into brain tissue in Stroke + OPC group compared with Stroke + PBS group. Scale bar = 50 µm. b Representative images of claudin-5 (green) and endothelial marker CD31 (red) in the peri-infarct area after 3 days following MCAO and images of only claudin-5 (green) in three groups. The blank square indicated the location where the images were captured. Bar graph showed the quantification of claudin-5. OPCs alleviated the disruption of claudin-5. Scale bar = 100 µm. c Three-dimension reconstruction confocal microscopy images of occludin (green) and endothelial marker CD31 (red) after 3 days following MCAO in three groups. Bar graph showed the quantification of gap formation of occludin. OPCs reversed gap formation of occludin. Scale bar = 25 µm. Data are mean ± SD, n = 6–8 per group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, as compared with Stroke + PBS group. ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001, as compared with Sham group. S + P: Stroke + PBS; S + O: Stroke + OPC.