Fig. 2: OGD/R-ADEXs protect neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury through regulating autophagy.

a The expressions of LC3 II/I were determined by western blotting in OGD/R-induced neurons treated with OGD/R astrocytes or OGD/R-ADEXs (n = 5). b, c Representative photomicrographs and quantification of LC3-positive puncta in OGD/R-induced neurons treated with OGD/R astrocytes or OGD/R-ADEXs. Scale bar: 10 μm (n = 5). d, e The autophagosomes in OGD/R-induced neurons treated with OGD/R astrocytes or OGD/R-ADEXs were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Scale bar, 1 μm (n = 5). f The expressions of LC3 II/I were determined by western blotting after OGD/R-ADEXs were used together with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (n = 5). g The effects of autophagy on neuronal survival were assessed using the CCK-8 assay after OGD/R-ADEXs were used, together with 3-MA (n = 5). h, i Representative photomicrographs and quantitation of LC3-positive puncta in OGD/R-induced neurons after OGD/R-ADEXs were used together with 3-MA (n = 5). Scale bar: 10 μm. j, k Autophagosomes in OGD/R-induced neurons were detected by transmission electron microscopy after OGD/R-ADEXs were used together with 3-MA (n = 5). Scale bar, 1 μm. Data are shown as the mean ± SD of at least three independent experiments. ^*P < 0.05; ^**P < 0.01; ^***P < 0.001. Neurons incubated under standard cell culture conditions (Control) were used as negative control; Neurons treated with PBS under OGD/R conditions served as positive control (OGD/R); OGD/R-ADEXs, exosomes isolated from OGD/R astrocytes; Co-culture, OGD/R neurons co-cultured with OGD/R astrocytes; OGD/R-ADEXs+3-MA, OGD/R-ADEXs used together with 5 mM 3-MA.