Figure 6: TDO deficiency alters neuronal survival.
(a,c) Representative immunohistochemistry images of spinal cord slides from WT and TDO−/− EAE mice sacrificed on the peak of disease. (a) Representative APP immunohistochemistry images, (b) APP+ counts per slide. (c) Representative SMI-32 immunohistochemistry images, red: SMI-32, green: MBP, white: magnified areas showing the raw SMI-32 images, (d) SMI-32+ counts per slide. At least 3 spinal cord slices of each mouse were analyzed, 6 mice per group. APP+ and SMI-32+ cells per designated area were counted manually by blinded investigators. *p < 0.05 according to unpaired Student’s t-test. Scale bars: 200 μm. (e,g) Representative Immunohistochemistry images of optic nerves and (i) retinas from WT and TDO−/− EAE mice sacrificed on day 21 of EAE. (e) Representative APP immunohistochemistry, (f) APP+ counts per mm2, (g) representative Bielschowsky stainings, (h) % Axon reduction per slide. (i) Representative Brn3a stainings of retinas, green: Brn3a+ RGC, blue: DAPI, (j) Brn3a+ counts per mm2. Statistical analysis was performed from at least 10 sections per optic nerve/retina from one representative of 2 independent experiments with 8 mice per group, *p < 0.05 according to unpaired Student’s t-test, Scale bars: 25 μm. (k) Amplitudes and (l) latencies of VEP measurements in WT (white) and TDO−/− (black) EAE mice. Measurements were performed before immunization and on day 21 of EAE. Mean ± SEM are shown of 10 mice per group.
