Fig. 2

Inflammatory characteristics of Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− brain. a–e F4/80⁺ cells (green) are absent in the brains of control mice (a), but F4/80⁺ cells increase with age in Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− brains (b–e). Cell nuclei are stained blue with DAPI. Representative pictures of the brainstem are shown. f Quantification of F4/80⁺ cells in the brainstem of Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− mice (n = 4 mice/age) compared to control mice. Data of control mice across different ages (3, 5, 8, 12 months) is combined (n = 16). g–i Transcript levels of pro-inflammatory markers in Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− brain at 5 and 8 months of age. j–m Transcript levels of anti-inflammatory markers in Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− brain at 5 and 8 months of age. Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− mice compared to control: **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < .0001. ns, not significant. Error bars indicate SEM. n = 4–8 mice/group; m, months