Fig. 6: Knockdown of MEG3 protects against I/R-induced ischemic brain damage in vivo

a Experimental schedule to explore the effect of si-MEG3 on ischemic brain damage and overall neurological functions in vivo. b The modulation of MEG3, miR-21, PDCD4 mRNA and protein levels by injection of si-MEG3 or si-s-MEG3 into the lateral ventricle of mice were confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot 24 h after the injection. Data are means ± S.E.M. for 3 independent experiments for all 4 parameters. ^* P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. c Brain infarction of three groups (sham-treated mice, si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to MCAO operation) was visualized in TTC-stained brain sections at 24 h after operation. Curve lines (middle) summarize infarct areas in ipsilateral hemisphere normalized to the total areas of the contralateral hemisphere in sequential coronal brain slices. Bar graph (right) shows the volumes of total cerebral infract in ipsilateral hemisphere normalized to the total volumes of the contralateral hemisphere. Data are means ± S.E.M. for 6 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05, ^** P < 0.01, by Student’s t-test. d Degenerated cells in the cortex and striatum of si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to I/R 72 h were assessed by FJ staining. Bar graph (right) shows the FJ-labeling cells in the cortex and striatum in si-MEG3 treated mice normalized to si-s-MEG3 treated mice. Scale bar, 50μm. Data are means ± S.E.M. for 6 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05, ^** P < 0.01, by Student’s t-test