Fig. 2

Effect of MK-deficiency on microglia response and astrocytosis after TBI. Iba1-immunoreactive microglia/macrophages surrounding the lesion site (*) was significantly decreased in Mdk^−/− compared to Mdk^+/+ mice at 3 days after TBI (a, b). However, there were no difference in GFAP-immunoreactivities between MK^+/+ and Mdk^−/− mice at each time-point. (a, c). Furthermore, although the density and processes of Iba1-positive microglia cells in Mdk^−/− mice were smaller than those of Mdk^+/+ mice at 3 days, GFAP-positive astrocytes were not observed (a). Data are presented as mean ± SE (n = 5 mice/group). **p < 0.01 (comparison with MK^+/+ and Mdk^−/−). ##p < 0.01 (comparison with 3 days and 14 days). Scale bar = 100 μm (all panels) and 20 μm (all high magnification panels). GFAP, glia fibrillary acidic protein