Extended Data Fig. 7: Behavior and biocompatibility tests of mice implanted with hydrogel fibers.
From: Fatigue-resistant hydrogel optical fibers enable peripheral nerve optogenetics during locomotion
a, Schematic showing a Thy1::ChR2-EYFP mouse with a hydrogel fiber during von Frey tests. b, c, Nociceptive thresholds of ipsilateral (b) and contralateral (c) hind paw flinch in von Frey tests for Thy1::ChR2-EYFP mice over time after implantation. d, Schematic showing a Thy1::ChR2-EYFP mouse with a hydrogel fiber during horizontal ladder tests. e, Steps are counted and classified as either a normal walk (score 2), a slight slip (score 1), and a fall (score 0). f, Skilled locomotor score of ipsilateral hind paws for Thy1::ChR2-EYFP mice over time after implantation. g-h, Representative histological images of TRPV1::NpHR-EYFP mice’s ipsilateral (g) and contralateral (h) sciatic nerves. Sciatic nerves were harvested 8 weeks after implantation, and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Blue: cell nuclei by hematoxylin; pink: extracellular matrix and cytoplasm by eosin. Scale bars: 100 μm. i, j, Representative immunohistochemistry images of Thy1::ChR2-EYFP mice’s ipsilateral (i) and contralateral (j) sciatic nerves. Sciatic nerves were harvested 8 weeks after implantation, and stained using anti-Iba1 antibodies for macrophages. Red: Iba1; blue: DAPI. Scale bars: 100 μm. k, Iba1 relative densities in both ipsilateral and contralateral sciatic nerves. ns: not significant.
