Fig. 4: Astrocytes potentiate the loss of neurite integrity in neurons of the right co-culture compartment following kainic acid (KA) treatment to the left co-culture compartment.

a Microfluidic device schematic, populated with astrocytes and neurons. Arrow signifies KA (1 mM) administration (5 and 15-min) to the left co-culture compartment. b Effect of 5 and 15-min of KA treatment on neurite (β-III tubulin) integrity in the left and right co-culture compartments. Arrows indicate beaded axons. Scale bar = 25 µm. c. Beaded axons (%) in ROIs (mm²) of each co-culture compartment following KA treatment to the left co-culture compartment in the presence of astrocytes; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. n = 3 (mean ± SEM). d Microfluidic device populated with neurons without astrocytes. Arrow signifies KA (1 mM) administration (5 and 15-min) to the left co-culture compartment. e Effect of 5 and 15-min KA on neurite (β-III tubulin) integrity in each co-culture compartment in the absence of astrocytes. Scale bar = 25 µm. f Beaded axons (%) in a ROI (mm²) in each co-culture compartment following 5, or 15-min KA treatment in the absence of astrocytes; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. n = 3 (mean ± SEM). g Effect KA treatment on neurite (β-III tubulin) integrity in neurons of each co-culture compartment 6 h after KA treatment (1 mM; 15 min) in the presence vs absence of astrocytes. Scale bar = 25 µm. h The effect of astrocytes on the percentage of beaded axons in an ROI (mm²) in each co-culture compartment 6 h after 15-min KA treatment; ***p < 0.001; one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. n = 3 (mean ± SEM)