Figure 2. Chronic unpredictable stress (14-days) differentially alters the molecular phenotype of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex in males and females.

A) A prefrontal cortex-enriched portion of the brain was dissected out and homogenized. Cells were then stained for CD11b and ACSA2 using fluorescently conjugated antibodies and characterized using flow cytometry. CD11b-/ACSA2+ astrocytes were collected using FACS (proportion of gated events relative to the total number of events in each plot is indicated). Representative gating strategy is shown. B) Normalized astrocyte expression of marker genes (Gfap, Vim, S100b), synaptic interaction factors (Lamp1, Mertk, Megf10), and vascular interaction factors (Vegf, Bfgf, Aqp4, Angpt1, Agt) in the frontal cortex. Expression of Gfap, Vim, S100b, and Lamp1 is reflected on the left y-axis, all other genes are reflected on the right y-axis. Bars represent mean ± S.E.M. ^# p<0.05 main effect (no specific contrasts detected). * p<0.05 planned comparison indicated (Sidak’s test).