Fig. 6

BCAAs and BCKAs reduce the expression and recycling of microglial TREM2 via inhibiting autophagy. Western blot analysis of TREM2-related A and autophagy-related B protein levels in BV2 cell after treatment of BCAAs/ BCKAs in the presence or absence of rapamycin for 12 h (n = 3). C Representative images of microglial phagocytosis of fluorescein labeled-Aβ in BV2 cells after treatment of BCAAs/ BCKAs in the presence or absence of rapamycin for 12 h (n = 3, Scale bars, 40 μm). D Representative images of TREM2 recycling in BV2 cells after treatment of BCAAs/ BCKAs in the presence or absence of rapamycin for 12 h (n = 3, Scale bars, 40 μm). Western blot analysis of TREM2-related E and autophagy-related F protein levels in BV2 cell after treatment of BCAAs/ BCKAs in the presence or absence of chloroquine for 12 h (n = 3). G Representative images of TREM2 recycling in BV2 cells after treatment of BCAAs/ BCKAs in the presence or absence of chloroquine for 12 h (n = 3, Scale bars, 40 μm). Data are means ± SEM. *P < 0.05,**P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001, one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test or Student’s t test