Fig. 7

KO of CKLF1 improves behavioral performance and restores microglial phagocytosis after stroke. A Schematic diagram showing that the loss of CKLF1 restores microglial phagocytosis and improves the long-term outcomes of stroke established by photothrombosis. B–D Functional recovery in mice was assessed by the cylinder test (B), grid walking task (C) and pole climbing test (D) at baseline and 3, 7 and 14 days after stroke. (n = 6 per group), the data are presented as the mean ± SD, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 vs. WT-PT group at corresponding time point. Interaction F (DFn, DFd): cylinder test: F (9, 80) = 5.775; grid walking task: F (9, 80) = 12.57; pole climbing test: F (9, 78) = 9.305. E CKLF1 KO maintains neutrophil phagocytosis. Microglia were stained with an antibody against Iba-1 (green), nuclei were stained with Hoechst (blue), and neutrophils were stained with Ly6G (red). Typical images of morphology of phagocytosis of neutrophils by microglia in WT and CKLF1 KO mice (n = 3 per group). Scale bar = 15 μm