Mitochondrial Uncoupler Prodrug of 2,4-Dinitrophenol, MP201, Prevents Neuronal Damage and Preserves Vision in Experimental Optic Neuritis

Figure 3

MP201 treatment reduces axonal loss in optic neuritis. Neurofilament staining was used to evaluate axonal loss in sections of optic nerves isolated at day 42 postimmunization. (a) The optical density of neurofilament staining calculated from three equal-sized fields from each optic nerve shows a significant decrease () in optic nerves () from EAE mice compared to optic nerves () from control mice. Treatment with 16 mg/kg (@@@, ) or 80 mg/kg (@@, ) MP201 induces a significant increase in neurofilament staining compared to optic nerves from PBS-treated EAE mice. (b) A series of photographs of axon staining from multiple optic nerve sections shows the normal degree of variability of neurofilament staining in optic nerves of control mice and EAE mice treated with 16 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg MP201 and shows more patchy loss of neurofilament staining in optic nerves from PBS-treated EAE mice.

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