Figure 3

UV irradiation suppressed the expression of BDNF and phosphorylated ERK in the hippocampus. (a) Neurotropic factors (BDNF, NGF) and growth factors (VEGF, IGF-1, and FGF-2) mRNA expression levels in the hippocampus were analyzed using RT-qPCR. GAPDH was used to normalize the mRNA expression levels. Representative Western blot images and density graphs of (b) BDNF, p-ERK, and t-ERK in the hippocampus. (c) Relative band density was analyzed using image J software. Tubulin and t-ERK were used as endogenous controls, respectively. The blots are cropped raw images are provided in Supplementary Figure S4. Graphs show means ± SEM (n = 8mice/group). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ***P < 0.001 indicate significant differences when compared to control group. BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; FGF-2, fibroblast growth factor 2; IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1; NGF, nerve growth factor; p-ERK, phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase; t-ERK, total extracellular signal-related kinase VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.