Time-dependent changes of LC3, Beclin 1 and p62 expression in the penumbra following ischemia.

<p>Rats were subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h reperfusion. Extracts from the sham-operated and ischemic cerebral cortex were separated for immunoblotting. (A–B) Changes of LC3 and Beclin 1 expressions at different times of reperfusion. The ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I and the expression of Beclin 1 increased from 1 h to 48 h with a significant increase starting from 6 h and peaking at 24 h postischemia. (C) Changes of p62 expression at different times of reperfusion. The expression of p62 decreased significantly at 6 h and lasted until 48 h, with a maximum reduction at 24 h postischemia. Levels of β-actin protein were used as the loading control. Bar represents mean ± SEM from 5 rats in each time point. *<i>p</i><0.05 vs. the Sham group; ^#<i>p</i><0.05 vs. I/R-24 h group.