Fig. 4. Optogenetic stimulation of VP ChAT neurons reduces mechanical and thermal thresholds and increases depression-like behaviours.
a–c Representative images (ipsilateral side) and summary showing that unilateral optogenetic stimulation of VP ChAT (ChAT) neurons increased the number of c-Fos-positive ChAT neurons (red + green) and non-ChAT neurons (red only) in the VP on both sides. b ChAT neurons. Contralateral: t = 2.46, df = 28, P = 0.02. Ipsilateral: t = 12.99, df = 28, P < 0.0001. c non-ChAT neurons. Contralateral: t = 7.61, df = 28, P < 0.0001. Ipsilateral: t = 5.28, df = 28, P < 0.0001). No light: n = 15 sections; light: n = 15 sections. All from five mice in each group. d–g Mechanical PWT and thermal paw withdrawal latency (PWL) on hind paws before (off), during (on) (between 1–3 min light on), and after (off) (10 min after light off) illumination of the VP in ChR2 mice (n = 15) and eYFP mice (n = 9). d Contralateral: F(1.817, 25.44) = 92.75, P < 0.001. t = 11.33, df = 14, P < 0.001, off vs on. Ipsilateral: F(1.357, 18.99) = 71.08, P < 0.001. t = 15.92, df = 14, P < 0.001, off vs on. e eYFP mice. Contralateral: F(1.422, 11.37) = 1.43, P = 0.27. Ipsilateral: F(1.893, 15.14) = 3.01, P = 0.08. f Contralateral: F(1.988, 27.83) = 94.43, P < 0.001. t = 12.01, df = 14, P < 0.001, off vs on. Ipsilateral: F(1.723, 24.12) = 88.83, P < 0.001. t = 8.44, df = 14, P < 0.001, off vs on. g Contralateral: F(1.738, 13.90) = 1.60, P = 0.24. Ipsilateral: F(1.325, 10.60) = 0.17, P = 0.84. One-way repeated-measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni tests were used for (d–g). Two-tailed t-tests were used for (b, c). **P < 0.01; ns not significant. Contra contralateral, Ipsi ipsilateral.