Extended Data Fig. 6: Effect of Tak1 activation in the microglia of brainstem on energy balance.

a, Schematics of the CD11b-Ctrl-Lenti and CD11b-Tak1^CA-Lenti plasmids. HA, Hemagglutinin epitope tag. Tak1^CA, constitutively active Tak1. 2A, 2A peptide. EGFP, Enhanced green fluorescent protein. LTR, Long terminal repeat. b, Representative images showing the expression of EGFP in the brainstem region close to basilar artery after the injection of CD11b-Ctrl-Lenti or CD11b-Tak1^CA-Lenti (CD11b-Tak1^CA-L) viruses. Cell nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). Scale bars, 20 µm. n = 3 mice per group. c, Adult male mice were injected CD11b-Ctrl-Lenti viruses into the bottom region of brainstem. A week later, mice were perfused with saline and then the brainstem was dissected out. After tissue digestion, cells were isolated by using the Percoll gradients, blocked by FcX, and then labelled with PE-conjugated anti-mouse Cx3cr1 antibody. A representative flow cytometry plot is shown. n = 6 mice per group. d,e, Male mice (12 weeks old) were injected CD11b-Ctrl-Lenti or CD11b-Tak1^CA-Lenti viruses into the brainstem region close to basilar artery. Body weight (d) and cumulative food intake (e) were then assessed. n = 8 (d) or 10 (e) mice per group. Data are presented as mean ± SEM.