Fig. 4

LDLR deficiency promotes neuronal pyroptosis in cerebral I/R injury. a Immunoblotting analysis for full-length GSDMD and N-terminal GSDMD in ischemic penumbra at 12, 24, and 72 h after MCAO, n = 5 for all groups. b Western blot and quantitative analysis of full-length GSDMD and N-terminal GSDMD 24 h after reperfusion, n = 6 in each group. c, d Double immunostaining of GSDMD with NeuN in peri-infarct region and quantitative analysis 24 h after reperfusion, n = 4–5. Insets show a higher magnification view. Scale bar = 20 μm. e, f ELISA for IL-1β and IL-18 levels in brain tissues, n = 5 in each group. g Representative transmission electron microscopy pictures of neurons in ischemic penumbra. Amplifies images of cytomembrane are labeled by red boxes. Pores on neuronal membrane are pointed out with red arrows, n = 3. Insets show a higher magnification view. Scale bar = 5 μm for the left images and 2 μm for the right images. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 versus WT sham mice; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001 versus WT MCAO mice