Calcium-/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Inhibition Induces Learning and Memory Impairment and Apoptosis

Figure 3

CaMKII inhibition induces neuronal death in vivo and in vitro. (a) Cresyl violet stain images showing the hippocampi of Wistar rats, TRM rats, KN93-treated (high dose) Wistar rats, and KN93-treated (high dose) TRM rats, including the CA1, CA3, and DG regions. The arrows indicated survived neurons, and the arrowheads indicated dead neurons. Scale bars: 20 μm. (b) Representative images showing the immunofluorescence staining of GFAP in the CA3 regions of the hippocampi of Wistar rats, TRM rats, KN93-treated Wistar rats, and KN93-treated TRM rats. Scale bars: 100 μm. (c, d) Representative protein bands and analysis of data for NeuN and GFAP protein expression in the hippocampi of Wistar rats, TRM rats, KN93-treated (low dose) Wistar rats, KN93-treated (low dose) TRM rats, KN93-treated (high dose) Wistar rats, and KN93-treated (high dose) TRM rats. , compared with the control Wistar group; , compared with control TRM group; , compared with control Wistar group; , compared with the control TRM group. (e) The concentration-dependent cytotoxicity curve of KN93 on PC12 cells at concentrations of 0.3, 1, 3, 10, and 30 μM. , , and compared with controls. (f, g) Expression and localization of NeuN-positive neurons and its data analysis in primary hippocampal neurons of the control group and KN93-treated group. , compared with the control group; , compared with the control group.

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