Fig. 6: Alteration of microglial morphology, proliferation, and phagocytosis in IR-injured 181-Rik mutant retinas.

A–D, A′–D′ Original and skeletonized images of Iba1 immunolabeling in WT and KO retinal wholemounts from untreated mice (NT) and those at 7 days post-IR injury. Scale bar: 50 μm. E, F Number of endpoints and branch length of Iba1⁺ microglia in WT-NT, KO-NT, WT-IR, and KO-IR retinas. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 4). G–I, G′–I′ Double-immunostaining of WT and KO retinal wholemounts from mice at 2 days post-IR injury with antibodies against Ki67 and Iba1. Scale bar: 100 μm. J Microglial density in WT and KO peripheral retinas from mice at 2 days post-IR injury. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 5). K Proportion of proliferative microglia in WT and KO retinas at 2 days post-IR injury. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 5). L–N, L′–N′ Double-immunostaining of WT and KO retinal wholemounts from mice at 7 days post-IR injury with antibodies against Rbpms and Iba1. Arrowheads point to RGCs that were being phagocytosed by microglia and insets show corresponding outlined regions at a higher magnification. Scale bar: 100 μm. O Proportion of phagocytic microglia in WT and KO retinas at 7 days post-IR injury. Data were presented as mean ± SD (n = 5 or 6).