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Fig. 8 | Cell & Bioscience

Fig. 8

From: Photobiomodulation improves the synapses and cognitive function and ameliorates epileptic seizure by inhibiting downregulation of Nlgn3

Fig. 8

Nlgn3 gene silencing by Nlgn3 siRNA reduced synapses which are increased by PBM against the kainic acid-induced excitotoxicity, and led to neuronal cell death. A Representative immunofluorescent images for Nlgn3 (green) and PSD95 (red) after transfection and the treatment of kainic acid (KA) or 850 nm LED. Primary hippocampal neurons transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the Nlgn3 gene for 24 h. The scale bars indicate 20 μm. B, C Bar graphs show that the quantitative intensity analysis of neuroligin-3 and PSD95 after siRNA, kainic acid, and 850 nm LED. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared with KA, ***p < 0.001 compared with KA + 850 nm, ##p < 0.01 compared with 850 nm or KA + 850 nm (ANOVA with the Bonferroni test). D The bar graph shows that cell viability after siRNA, kainic acid, and 850 LED by DAPI counting. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 compared with KA, ##p < 0.01 compared with KA + 850 nm (ANOVA with the Bonferroni test). E MAP2 images showed the dendritic pruning by kainic acid (white arrow). The scale bars indicate 50 μm. F The bar graphs show that the neurite pruning was significantly higher in the Nlgn3 siRNA treated group compared to the 850 nm + KA group. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM; **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001 relative to 850 nm + KA group (ANOVA with the Bonferroni test). G Schematic diagram of the current study indicated that Nlgn3 siRNA application with PBM and kainic acid leads to damage to neurons and dendrites after the synapse loss. If Nlgn3 is upregulated because PBM increases neuronal survival, then neuronal survival should also increase despite the application of Nlgn3 siRNA, but it did not

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