Skip to main content
Fig. 4 | Molecular Autism

Fig. 4

From: Neuroglia in the autistic brain: evidence from a preclinical model

Fig. 4

Effect of the prenatal VPA exposure on astrocytes in adulthood. Evaluation of the neurotrophin S100B and the cytoskeletal GFAP in the PfC, Cb, and HPC of healthy- (open bars, Veh) and autistic-like (black bars, VPA) adult rats (PND 90). Representation of the relative concentration of S100B (a) and GFAP (c) in VPA animals compared to control (Veh), normalized to both TBP and HPRT (ΔΔCq; N = 3, in triplicate). Representative western blots for S100B (b) and GFAP (d) proteins, and densitometric analyses normalized to β-actin used as loading control. Results are expressed as percentage of control (Veh) (N = 3, in triplicate). Representative fluorescence micrographs of GFAP (green) staining in the PfC, GL and ML of Cb, and stratum radiatum of CA1, CA2, CA3, and the hilus of the DG of the HPC. Nuclei were stained with Hoechst (blue) (e). The images have been analyzed by counting the number of GFAP-positive cells in 2.4 × 105 μm3 (scale bar 50 μm; N = 3, 4 times) (f). All data are presented as means ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by t test (*p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001 vs Veh group)

Back to article page