Fig. 5

Buffering of neuronal nuclear calcium enhances subacute microgliosis and synapse loss 7 days post-trauma. A–C Buffering of nuclear calcium signaling in TBI significantly increased the density of IBA1 + cells compared to TBI alone in the core and perilesional areas (B CT vs PT; Core 7.20 ± 2.87 vs 14.90 ± 4.89; perilesional area 5.68 ± 1.37 vs 10.06 ± 2.72). Buffering of nuclear calcium signaling in TBI reduced the neuronal loss in the core (C CT vs PT; 10.42 ± 3.55 vs 18.32 ± 0.81), but not in the perilesional area (CT vs PT; 24.06 ± 5.78 vs 25.05 ± 1.44). Data are shown as mean ± SD. N = 4. Scale bar: 100 µm. D–F Significant decrease of excitatory synapses 7d post-TBI observed in animals injected with control AAV (CS vs CT; 819.12 ± 61.44 vs 607.12 ± 134.12) or nuclear calcium buffer (CT vs PT; 607.11 ± 134.52 vs 423.32 ± 60.11) in the core of the injury. Buffering of nuclear calcium signaling also resulted in a significant decrease in synaptic density in the perilesional area (CT vs PT; 845.2 ± 53.7 vs 599.2 ± 103.7). Data are shown as mean ± SD. N = 4.*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001