Fig. 4

Microglia in Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− brain react normally to nerve injury. a–t Facial nerve was axotomized at the left side (ipsilateral) of the brain, whereas the right facial nerve remained intact (contralateral) in 3-month-old Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− and control mice (n = 3–5 mice/group). Microgliosis was analyzed in facial motor nucleus (FMN) in the brainstem at 1 day (a–j) and 5 days post-axotomy. a–d, k–n Overview pictures of the brainstem and FMN regions (marked by a white line) in control and Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− mice are shown at 1 day (a–d) and 5 days (k–n) post-axotomy. f–i, p–s Magnifications of FMN in control and Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− mice at 1 day (f–i) and 5 days (k–n) post-axotomy. Both ipsilateral and contralateral sides are shown. e, o Quantification of Iba1⁺ fluorescence intensity in FMN in ipsilateral sides relative to their respective contralateral sides at 1 day (e) and 5 days (o) post-axotomy. j, t Quantification of Iba1⁺ cell numbers in FMN in ipsilateral relative to their respective contralateral sides at 1 day (j) and 5 days (t) post-axotomy. Representative pictures are shown. Cx3cr1-Mfp2^−/− mice compared to control: * p < 0.05. ns, not significant. Error bars indicate SEM