Fig. 3

Decreased dendrite complexity and spine density in the PFC of Shank3 mutant dogs. A Representative images (left panel) and 3D reconstruction (right panel) of biocytin-filled pyramidal neurons in the layer 2/3 PFC from Shank3 mutant and WT dogs. The neurons were filled with biocytin via patch pipette and stained with streptavidin-Cy3. Scale bars, 100 μm. B Analysis of the total dendrites length of pyramidal neurons from Shank3 mutant and WT dogs (WT: n = 9 neurons, Shank3 mutant: n = 13 neurons; p = 0.2767). C Sholl analysis of dendritic branching complexity in the PFC pyramidal neurons from WT and mutant dogs (WT: n = 9 neurons, Shank3 mutant: n = 13 neurons; p = 0.0494). D The representative images showing the dendritic spines of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons from WT and Shank3 mutant dogs: the confocal slice (left), 3D reconstruction of spines (middle), and the merged image (right). Scale bar, 5 μm. E Averaged spine length of pyramidal neurons obtained from WT and Shank3 mutant dogs (WT: n = 9 neurons, Shank3 mutant: n = 13 neurons; p = 0.1620). F The spine density on the dendrites of pyramidal neurons obtained from WT and Shank3 mutant dogs (WT: n = 9 neurons, Shank3 mutant: n = 13 neurons; p < 0.0001). G Comparisons of densities for stubby (p = 0.0011), mushroom (p = 0.9729), and long thin spines (p = 0.0056) between WT and Shank3 mutant dogs. Data in B, E, and F were analyzed with a two-tailed, unpaired t test. Data in C and G were analyzed with Mann–Whitney test. All data were collected from 3 pairs of animals. Data points represent neurons (circle) and dogs (rhombus) for each group, and presented as mean ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001