Fig. 2

ALS-CSF induces inflammatory response by astrocytes: COX-2 mRNA expression was seen up-regulated in response to ALS-CSF (**p < 0.01 NC and NALS vs. ALS, n = 5 in triplicates; graph a), suggesting the induction of neuroinflammatory pathways. Note the significant up-regulation in the COX-2 protein expression in the ALS group, as observed by western blot analysis (b,*p < 0.05 NC and NALS vs. ALS; n = 3; graph c). Representative confocal images of the cultures immunostained for COX-2 (FITC, green; d–f; **p < 0.01 NC and NALS vs. ALS; n = 5 in duplicates; graph m) and its downstream inflammatory molecule PGE-2 (Cy3, red, g–i; ***p < 0.001 n = 5 in duplicates; graph n) further demonstrate the inflammatory potential of the astroglial cells in response to ALS-CSF. Analysis of the significance was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Scale bars are indicated