Fig. 6
From: The pathogenic role of c-Kit+ mast cells in the spinal motor neuron-vascular niche in ALS
Mast cells interact with astrocytes and motor neurons expressing Stem Cell Factor in ALS mice. A Representative immunohistochemical confocal images showing the characterization of the c-Kit ligand expression, SCF, in the lumbar spinal cord of Non-Tg and symptomatic SOD1G93A mice. Note the significant upregulation of SCF in reactive GFAP+ astrocytes (white arrows) in symptomatic ALS mice as compared with Non-Tg littermates. Motor neurons (white asterisks) express similar levels of SCF in both Non-Tg and SOD1G93A mice. The magenta square shows a high magnification analysis of a SCF+ motor neuron surrounded by reactive astrocytes co-expressing high levels of GFAP and SCF (colocalization in yellow). The graph to the right shows the quantitative analysis of the co-localization of SCF and GFAP in spinal cord sections of SOD1G93A as compared with Non-Tg mice. B High magnification confocal analysis of c-Kit+cells lacking granules that spatially associate with SFC + /GFAP+ reactive astrocytes. Squares show higher magnification 3D images of c-Kit+ cells (red) that surround reactive astrocytes. The graph shows the quantitative analysis of c-Kit+ cells surrounding SCF+ astrocytes. C High magnification confocal analysis of c-Kit + cells that closely interact with SFC+ motor neurons. Squares show higher magnification 3D images of c-Kit+ cells (red). The graph shows the quantitative analysis of c-Kit+ cells surrounding SCF+ motor neurons. Data are expressed as mean ± s.e.m. For statistical analysis two-tailed Mann–Whitney test was used, with ***p < 0.0001 considered significant. n = 4 animals/condition. Scale bars: 20 μm (A) and 10 μm and 5 μm (B, C)