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Figure 2 | Parasites & Vectors

Figure 2

From: Activated microglia contribute to neuronal apoptosis in Toxoplasmic encephalitis

Figure 2

Neuronal apoptosis in the CNS of control, TE, and TE + M mice. (A) Double immunofluorescent staining of caspase-3 (a marker of cell death) and NeuN (a specific marker of neuron cell) demonstrated apoptosis of neuron cells. Brain sections from cortex of control, TE and TE + M animal groups were stained with polyclonal caspase-3(red) antibody and monoclonal NeuN antibody (green). Cells were counter-stained with Hoechst to show nuclei (blue). Double immunostaining showed caspase-3 expression in neurons. Increased number of caspase-3 positive cells in TE was reduced significantly in TE + M. (B) Western blotting assay was used for analysis of protein NeuN expression in control and TE and TE + M mice. It showed that the downregulated expression of NeuN in TE was increased significantly after treatment with minocyline (TE + M). Values represent the means ± SEM from six animals in each group (*, p < 0.01 vs. Control. #, p < 0.01 vs. TE).

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