Fig. 4

β-LAP suppressed MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 expression in the LPS-induced systemic inflammation mouse brain. Changes in protein expression of MMP-3 (a), MMP-8 (b), and MMP-9 (c) were determined in LPS (24 h)-injected mouse brains. The number of activated Iba1⁺ cells with thick and densely stained processes was markedly increased in the cortex at 24 h after systemic LPS treatment (5 mg/kg, i.p.), compared to saline groups. MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 expression in the cortex of LPS-injected mouse was reduced by treatment with β-LAP (10 mg/kg, i.p., daily for 4 days). Representative images of MMP-positive cells and double-positive cells (MMP, green; Iba-1, red), as determined by immunohistochemistry. Representative images (a–c) and quantification of the data (d). Values represent the number of double-immunopositive cells. Scale bar, 100 μm. n = 3 per group. *P < 0.05 vs. saline or ^# P < 0.005 vs. LPS-treated mice