Fig. 8.

PKCα co-localized with endothelial cells but not astrocytes. Both astrocytes and endothelial cells are critical for maintenance of the BBB. PKCα activity within endothelial cells plays an intimate role in regulating extracellular tight junction proteins. Fluorescnt IHC red staining for PKCα, green staining for VWF (endothelial) or GFAP (astocyte), and yellow is overlay. Scale bar=20 µm in left prefrontal cortex. PKCα (a) with inlay (b) and VWF (c) with inlay (d) have a weak overlay with a Pearson’s coefficient of r=0.395 seen in (e) with inlay (f) for control animals. PKCα (g) with inlay (h) and VWF (i) with inlay (j) have a very strong overlay with an overlap coefficient of r=0.954 seen in (k) with inlay (l) 24 h post blast exposure. PKCα (m) with inlay (n) and GFAP (o) with inlay (p) have a weak overlay with a Pearson’s coefficient of r=0.351 seen in (q) with inlay (r) for control animals. PKCα (s) with inlay (t) and GFAP (u) with inlay (v) have a weak overlay with an overlap coefficient of r=0.379 seen in (w) with inlay (x) 24 h post blast exposure