Figure 4.

(A) Myelin basic protein (MBP, green), and DAPI (cell nuclei; blue) staining of optic nerve sections. No differences in immunoreactivity of MBP could be seen, but a destruction of the ischemic tissue could be observed. (B) Statistical analysis showed no differences in MBP⁺ area between both groups. (C) Otherwise, a significant decrease of MBP mRNA was noted in optic nerves of ischemic eyes in relation to controls. (D) Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2) was used to stain oligodendrocytes (maturing oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), red), DAPI was used for cell nuclei (blue). Regarding the Olig2⁺ cells, fewer cells were observed in the ischemic group. (E) Counting of Olig2⁺ cells revealed a significantly decreased cell number in the ischemic group compared to controls. (F) On mRNA level, no differences could be observed between both groups. (G) With myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) the myelin glycoprotein of oligodendrocytes was marked (green). DAPI was used for cell nuclei (blue). A lower MOG signal and a resolution of the tissue could be shown in ischemic optic nerves. (H) Statistical analyses revealed a significant reduction in the MOG⁺ area after ischemia induction. (I) Also via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), a significant decrease of MOG mRNA expression was observed in ischemic optic nerves in comparison to controls. Scale bar: 20 μm. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001.