Fig. 3

XBD173 treatment dampens microglia-related pro-inflammatory marker expression after light exposure. To determine the mRNA expression of inflammation-associated genes in the retina, qRT-PCR analysis was performed 4 days after light exposure. a–c The microglia markers Cd68 and Amwap were up-regulated after light exposure, and TSPO levels were also increased. In contrast, the retinas from XBD173-treated mice expressed significantly less Cd68, Amwap, and Tspo transcripts after light exposure. d, e XBD173 treatment reduced the expression of Ccl2 and Il6 that were elevated by light exposure. f iNOS expression was not altered. Data show mean ± SEM out of three independent experiments (control n = 4–8, light exposure plus vehicle treatment n = 8–15, light exposure plus XBD173 treatment n = 8–15 per group, measured in duplicates) with *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001