Fig. 5: Nrf2 deficiency diminished the protective function of IL-4. | Cell Death & Disease

Fig. 5: Nrf2 deficiency diminished the protective function of IL-4.

From: IL-4 induces reparative phenotype of RPE cells and protects against retinal neurodegeneration via Nrf2 activation

Fig. 5

A In OCT examination, NaIO3 model in Nrf2-/-mice presented discontinuity of RPE layer with highly reflective granules (red arrows). Importantly, IL-4 treatment in these mice showed no significant improvement. In addition, the calculated ONL thickness (distance between yellow lines) was reduced in NaIO3 model of both WT and Nrf2-/- mice in comparison to those in PBS controls, respectively. IL-4 treatment could partially restore the ONL thickness in NaIO3 model of WT mice but not Nrf2-/- mice. n = 6. B H&E staining revealed melanin rich aggregation (yellow arrows) in the NaIO3-RPE from both WT and Nrf2-/- mice. IL-4 treatment rescued RPE injuries in WT-NaIO3-mice with much less melanin rich aggregation. However, the IL-4-treated Nrf2-/-NaIO3 mice still presented with crumby structure with melanin rich aggregation. Scale bar: 20 μm. n = 3. C ERG showed increased amplitudes of a- and b- waves after IL-4 treatment in WT-NaIO3 retina but not Nrf2-/- NaIO3 mice. The Nrf2-/- NaIO3 mice with or without IL-4 treatment presented almost extinct waves. n = 6. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. **P < 0.01, n.s: no significance, one-way ANOVA test.

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