Fig. 1
GFAP-Cre mediated hepcidin depletion induced cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behavior. A qRT-PCR to detect Hamp mRNA levels in 3-month-old HampGFAP cKO mice and Hampflox/flox control mice. B Immunofluorescence staining of hepcidin and GFAP expression in the DG of cKO and control mice. White arrows point out astrocytes; yellow arrows point out GFAP-positive NSCs; gray arrows point out granule neurons. Scale bar: 50 µm. C–H The spatial learning and memory of 3-month-old HampGFAP cKO and control mice were assessed in MWM test. Representative mouse travel tracks at day 4 (C) and the quantifications of escape latency (D) and distance (E) over 4 days are shown. Representative mouse travel tracks in the probe test at day 5 (F), the number of times crossing the platform location (G) and percentage of time spent in the target quadrant (H) were analyzed. I–M In elevated plus maze, the representative mouse travel tracks (I), percentages of time (J) and distance (K) spent in the open zone, and percentages of time (L) and distance (M) in the center area were analyzed in 6-month-old HampGFAP cKO and control mice. N–Q In open field test, the representative mouse travel tracks (N), percentages of time (O) and distance (P) spent in the center zone, and entries into the center zone (Q) were analyzed in 6-month-old HampGFAP cKO and control mice. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM, n = 6 per group. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001