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. 2024 Dec 19;7:1651. doi: 10.1038/s42003-024-07372-2

Fig. 5. Inhibition of VLT-projecting cACC (Cg2) neuron activation was required for the effect of BBR on relieving anxiety-like behaviors induced by CFA.

Fig. 5

a Schematic of the experimental design. b, c Schematic for specific infection of VLT-projecting cACC (Cg2) neurons with mCherry. Scale bar, 200 μm. d–h Statistical results of time spent in the open arms in the EPM test and the central area in the OFT after intraperitoneal injection of BBR (10 mg/kg/day). i Representative images showed that intraperitoneal injection of PBS or BBR induced c-Fos expression in VLT-projecting cACC (Cg2) neurons with mCherry. Scale bar, 20 μm. j Percentage of labeled mCherry+ neurons expressing c-Fos in CFA + PBS group and CFA + BBR group. k Schematic of the experimental design. l, m Schematic for specific infection of VLT-projecting cACC (Cg2) neurons with mCherry or hM3Dq-mCherry. n Statistical results of time spent in the open arms in the EPM test. o Representative images of movement trajectory (top) and activity time (bottom) in the EPM test. p, q Statistical results of time spent in the central area and total distance traveled in the OFT. r Representative images of movement trajectory (top) and activity time (bottom) in the OFT. Data are the mean ± SEM; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, NS not significant. VLT ventral lateral thalamus, cACC caudal anterior cingulate cortex, Cg2 cingulate area 2, BBR Berberine, CFA complete Freund’s adjuvant, EPM elevated plus maze, OFT open field test, CNO Clozapine N-oxide.