Fig. 5
NLRP3KO using CRISPR/Cas9 neutralizes the protective effect of rebamipide following 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxication. Schematic of the NLRP3KO using CRISPR/Cas9 (A) Sequences for CRISPR-Cas9 (B) and primer sequences for real-time RT-PCR (C) NLRP3KO (hetero or homo) was confirmed using real-time PCR (D) Overview of the experimental design (E). Inhibitory effects of rebamipide on MPTP-induced levels of IL-1ß (E), IL-18 (F), and microglia activation (G and H) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) 3 d after MPTP injection. Moreover, dopaminergic neurons were visualized using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-specific immunostaining 7 d after the last MPTP treatment. TH-immunopositive neurons in the SNpc were counted (I), and the relative TH fluorescence intensity in the striatum (ST) was measured (J). Dopamine levels in the ST were measured using HPLC (K). Representative photomicrographs of the SNpc and ST (L). Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, compared with the control group; # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001, compared with the MPTP-treated group