Fig. 1

AhR expression and transcriptional activity are upregulated in the corpus callosum during demyelination. A Schematic illustration of the cuprizone demyelinating model. B Representative western blot analysis of AhR protein level in the corpus callosum of control mice and cuprizone-treated mice (in the context of the end of week 6 in the cuprizone model). 30 μg protein was loaded per well. C The quantification of AhR protein expression in B (n = 3 mice per group). Data are shown as mean ± SEM and analyzed by unpaired two-tailed t-test. D Representative confocal immunofluorescent images displaying AhR expression in the corpus callosum at the end of week 4, week 5 and week 6 of cuprizone model. Scale bar: 40 μm. E The quantification of AhR fluorescence intensity in D (n = 4 mice per group). Data are shown as mean ± SEM and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test. F AhR protein level were assessed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of control mice and cuprizone-treated mice (at the end of week 6 of cuprizone model) via Western blot. 30 μg protein was loaded per well. G The quantification of AhR protein expression in F. (n = 3 mice per group). Data are shown as mean ± SEM and analyzed by unpaired two-tailed t-test. H, I mRNA expressions of Arnt and Cyp1a1 in the corpus callosum of control mice and cuprizone-treated mice (at 6 weeks post cuprizone) were evaluated by qRT-PCR (n = 4 mice per group). Data are shown as mean ± SEM and analyzed by unpaired two-tailed t-test. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ##p < 0.01