Fig. 6: Microglia-dependent neural loss in the 2HIT cerebellar cortex.
a Loss of Purkinje cells in the male cerebellar cortex. Representative images of cerebellar cortical lobules stained with anti-Calbindin antibody from Control, 2HIT-susceptible (2HIT sus), and 2HIT after microglia replacement (2HIT+rMG) groups are shown. Density graphs of Purkinje neurons (b) and axons (c) was significantly reduced, and that of microglia (d) was significantly increased, typically in the central lobule (VIa-VIb) of the 2HIT cerebellar cortex. Data in (b–d) are derived from identical slices. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons using the Tukey-Kramer method. e Correlation analysis indicating a decrease in Purkinje cell and axon density and an increase in 2HIT sus microglia in males. Principal component analysis (PCA) distinguishes data distribution among Purkinje cell, axon, and microglia density from identical slices across Control, 2HIT sus, and 2HIT+rMG groups. *p < 1.6 × 10-11, MANOVA. f Loss of Purkinje cells in the female cerebellar cortex. Representative images of cerebellar cortical lobules of Control, 2HIT sus, and 2HIT+rMG are shown. Density graphs of Purkinje neurons (g) and axons (h) was significantly reduced, and that of microglia (i) was significantly increased (*p < 0.05), typically in lobule VIa-VIb of the cerebellar cortex. j Correlation analysis indicating a decrease in Purkinje cell and axon density and an increase in 2HIT sus microglia in females. PCA separates the data distribution among three datasets. *p < 6.0 × 10-10, MANOVA.
