Fig. 7: Knockdown of MEG3 improves overall neurological functions

a The motion function and locomotor activity of the normal mice and mice treated with si-MEG3 or si-s-MEG3 was assessed by open-field test before MCAO operation. Quantifications of average velocity (left), time spent in the side areas (middle) and in the center square (right) were made for 10 min during each session. Data are means ± S.E.M. for 12 mice per group. P > 0.05 by Student’s t-test for all three parameters. b Neurologic deficit score. Neurologic deficits of si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to I/R 24 h or sham-treated mice were analyzed by a neurologic deficit score. Data are means ± S.E.M. for 8 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. c Rotarod test. The performance on rotarod of three groups (sham-treated mice, si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to MCAO operation) was analyzed before operation and throughout the 4-week period after operation. Data represent means ± S.E.M. for 20 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. d Morris water maze. The performance on Morris water maze of three groups (sham-treated mice, si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to MCAO operation) was analyzed 3 days after MCAO operation. Hidden platform training was carried out within 90 s at 6 consecutive days (6 sessions) with 4 trials each session. Curve lines (left) show the escape latency to find the hidden platform. After 6 consecutive days of invisible training, the mice rest for 1 day, and at day 8, a probe test was conducted. Bar graph shows the time spent in the target quadrant (the second quadrant). Data represent means ± S.E.M. for 20 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test. e Open-field test. The performance on open-field test of three groups (sham-treated mice, si-s-MEG3 and si-MEG3 injection mice subjected to MCAO operation) was analyzed 3 days after MCAO operation. Data represent means ± S.E.M. for 12 mice per group. ^* P < 0.05 by Student’s t-test