Fig. 2

AQP4 deletion attenuated hypoglycemia-induced BBB disruption. a Western blot analysis revealed a slight increase in AQP4 in the Hypo compared to the WT. b A significant increase in claudin-5 expression in the AQP4^−/− + Hypo was found with hypoglycemic edema compared to the Hypo. c The sections of the brain cortex were co-stained for AQP4 (green) and claudin-5 (red). Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Confocal microscopic images showed continuous and linear labeling of claudin-5 along the vessels in the WT group and the AQP4^−/− group. In contrast, discontinuous labeling and gap formation were observed in the Hypo group (white arrows). AQP4 deletion significantly reduced gap formation and maintained the integrity of claudin-5. The images in the square frames of the graphs were amplified as images. Scale bar = 20 μm. n = 5 per group, *p < 0.05 or **p < 0.01 vs. the WT group, ^#p < 0.05 vs. the Hypo group