Fig. 1: Plasma-derived extracellular vesicles from POCD patients impair hippocampal neuronal function and cognition in aged mice.
A Schematic of experimental design: EVs isolated from POCD and non-POCD patient(Control) plasma were applied to primary hippocampal neuron or injected into aged mice (five injections, every other day). Behavioral and electrophysiological assessments were conducted from day 11 onward. B, C Characterization of EVs by TEM, NTA, and immunoblotting. D Immunofluorescence analysis of hippocampal tissue showing elevated ACLY and Iba1 expression following EVsPOCD administration. n = 5 mice in each group, **p < 0.01, all values represent mean ± standard deviation. independent two-tailed Student’s t tests. E Co-localization of EAAT1 and p65 in EVs-treated mice. n = 5 mice in each group, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, all values represent mean ± standard deviation. independent two-tailed Student’s t tests. F Glutamate levels were assessed in hippocampal tissue after EVsPOCD treatment. *p < 0.05, n = 5 mice in each group/time point, all values represent mean ± standard deviation; two-way ANOVA with factors time and treatment with Newman–Keuls multiple comparison test. G, H Morris water maze performance showing impaired spatial learning and memory after EVsCon/EVsPOCD treatment. n = 15 mice in each group, *p < 0.05, all values represent mean ± standard deviation. Independent two-tailed Student’s t tests. I Fluoro-Jade B staining revealed increased degenerating neurons in EVsPOCD-treated hippocampi. n = 5 mice in each group, *p < 0.05, all values represent mean ± standard deviation. independent two-tailed Student’s t tests. J Electrophysiology showing attenuated fEPSPs and impaired LTP induction in EVsPOCD-treated slices. n = 10 mice in each group, **p < 0.01, all values represent mean ± standard deviation. Independent two-tailed Student’s t tests.
