Increased apoptosis, neurogenesis and inflammation in the dentate gyrus of NF-κB deficient mice.

<p>(<b>a</b>, <b>b</b>) Neuronal cell death visualized by Fluoro Jade-C. Degenerating neurites (arrows) and nuclei (asterisk) are significantly increased in IκB/tTA mice (<i>n</i> = 3) as compared to control mice (<i>n</i> = 3) (<b>c</b>, <b>d</b>). (<b>e</b>) Increased cleaved caspase-3 positive cells after NF-κB ablation (<i>n</i> = 3). (<b>f</b>, <b>g</b>) DCX immunoreactivity is significantly increased in the DG after NF-κB ablation. Note that DCX⁺ cells are not arranged in the subgranular zone alone but migrate deeper into the DG. (<b>h</b>, <b>j</b>) Total number of DCX⁺ and Calretinin⁺ cells is increased in IκB/tTA mice (<i>n</i> = 3) compared to controls (<i>n</i> = 3). (<b>i</b>) Increased BrdU/DCX⁺ cells in the DG seven days after the last BrdU injections (<i>n</i> = 3). (<b>k</b>, <b>l</b>) Representative images of the distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the hippocampus. Note significantly increased numbers of GFAP positive cells in IκB/tTA mice, particularly within the DG. Scale bars (a, b) 10 µm, (f, g) 25 µm, (k,l) 50 µm; ^*<i>P</i><0.05; ^**<i>P</i><0.01; ^***<i>P</i><0.0001; Error bars: SEM; DG dentate gyrus, GFAP glial fibrillary acidic protein, ML molecular layer, H hilus, DCX doublecortin, FJ-C fluoro Jade-C, BrdU bromodeoxyuridine.