Delayed histochemical alterations within the neurovascular unit due to transient focal cerebral ischemia and experimental treatment with neurotrophic factors - Fig 12 Dominik Michalski Roman Pitsch Deepu R. Pillai Bianca Mages Susanne Aleithe Jens Grosche Henrik Martens Felix Schlachetzki Wolfgang Härtig 10.1371/journal.pone.0174996.g012 https://plos.figshare.com/articles/figure/Delayed_histochemical_alterations_within_the_neurovascular_unit_due_to_transient_focal_cerebral_ischemia_and_experimental_treatment_with_neurotrophic_factors_-_Fig_12/4916042 <p><b>Immunofluorescence labeling of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with GFAP- and STL-staining 7 days after transient focal cerebral ischemia in the EGF-treated (A-A”‘) and in the control group (B-B”‘).</b> At the striatal border zone, the VEGF-staining appeared most prominent in cells with an activated morphological appearance, which also displayed astroglial GFAP-immunolabeling (A”‘). Concomitantly, STL-binding sites (A”) were seen in allocated vessels, whereas the endothelial cells in infarcted striatal tissue were dominated by allocated microglia/macrophages. The merged staining patterns (A”‘) elucidated those regions filled with immune cells surrounded by numerous, yellowish appearing activated astrocytes co-expressing VEGF and GFAP. At a higher magnification of the striatum from a control animal, immunolabeling of VEGF (B) and GFAP (B’) revealed somata and fine processes of astrocytes in the vicinity of the infarcted region. Concomitant STL-staining (B”) predominantly detected endothelial cells, and the merger of staining patterns demonstrated the close regional association of astroglial processes and vessels. Scale bars: in A” (also valid for A and A’) = 150 μm, in A”‘ = 50 μm, in B” (also valid for B and B’) = 25 μm, and in B”‘ = 15 μm.</p> 2017-04-26 17:42:30 epidermal growth factor EGF up-regulated collagen IV-immunoreactivity PEDF glial scar formation pigment epithelium-derived factor NVU astrocyte lesion size reduction ischemic BBB brains perfused 7 days neurotrophic factors ischemia-affected neurovascular unit border zone