Fig. 1

The level of astrocytic TDP43 is increased in NMOSD models. (A) The schedule shows details of the experiment. (B and C) The control group and passive immunization NMOSD model mice were assessed in the open field for the averaged speed and the travelled distance (n = 8). (D) The mice were assessed in the pole test for the time spent climbing down (n = 8). (E) The mice were assessed in the rotarod test for the maintenance time on the rotating stick (n = 8). After the behavioral test, the mice were sacrificed and the spinal cord was quickly collected. (F–H) The changes of AQP4 and TDP43 were determined by western blot and quantified using Image J (n = 3). (I and J) The variance of TDP43 in astrocytes of the spinal cord was visualized by double-staining with GFAP and TDP43 and quantified using Image J (n = 5). Scale bar: 100 μm. (K–M) Primary astrocytes were exposed to AQP4-IgG (40 µg/mL) and hC (2%) for 24 h, then the variance of TDP43 and AQP4 were determined by western blot (n = 3). (N–P) Primary astrocytes were exposed to AQP4-IgG and hC for 24 h, then the variance of TDP43 in the cytoplasm and nucleus were determined by western blot (n = 3). Behavioral test results are expressed as the mean ± SEM, and other results are expressed as the mean ± SD, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 versus the indicated group