Fig. 7

Neurodegeneration in the retina was observed throughout the observational period in EAE. a-b The number of NEUN positive cells decreased significantly from 11 days post immunisation (dpi) to 33 dpi in EAE mice compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, c apoptosis was observed using TUNEL staining from 20 to 33 dpi in the ganglion cell layer (arrows) of EAE mice. d Pou4f1, a transcription factor expressed in retinal ganglion cells first increased significantly at 7 and 9 dpi (possibly due to compensatory mechanisms within the cell) followed by a decrease from 20 to 33 dpi. e Bdnf retinal expression, which is an important neurotrophic factor for neuronal survival, also decreased at 20 and 28 dpi in EAE mice compared to healthy control, further exemplifying neurodegeneration. p-values for comparison between EAE and control mice (*** p < 0.0001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05). EAE: experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, NEUN: neuronal nuclei, TUNEL: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling, IRL: inner retinal layer, POU4F1: POU domain class 4 transcription factor 1, BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor, INL: inner nuclear layer, ONL: outer nuclear layer