Figure 5. Specific ablation of NTS^HSD2 neurons impairs sodium appetite.

Data are presented as mean ± SEM.

A) Schematic of AAV-FLEX-taCasp3-2A-TEVp or AAV-FLEX-GFP injections.

B) Representative HSD2 immunoreactivity (HSD2-IR) in the NTS of AAV-FLEX-GFP (AAV-GFP; left) and AAV-FLEX-taCasp3-2A-TEVp (AAV-taCasp3; right) injected mice.

C) Summary of AAV-taCasp3 ablation efficiency and specificity by counts of NTS HSD2 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons (n = 13–14 mice/group). Unpaired two-tailed t-test, ****P < 0.0001.

D) Schematic of the experimental protocol used for furosemide-induced Na⁺ depletion.

E) Time course of 3% NaCl licking (left) or H₂O licking (right) following Na⁺ depletion in AAV-GFP and AAV-taCasp3 injected animals. Orange line depicts the mean intake of Na⁺-replete animals injected with furosemide and fed standard chow.

F) Summary of 60-minute Na⁺ appetite test following Na⁺ depletion in AAV-GFP and AAV-taCasp3 injected animals (n = 13–14 mice/group). Orange line depicts the mean intake of Na⁺-replete animals injected with furosemide and fed standard chow. Unpaired two-tailed t-test, *P < 0.05.

G) Schematic of the experimental protocol used for chronic dietary Na⁺ deprivation (H₂O-R = H₂O-restriction).

H) Time-course of 3% NaCl licking (left) or H₂O licking (right) following dietary Na⁺ deprivation in H₂O-restricted animals injected with AAV-GFP or AAV-taCasp3. Orange line depicts the mean intake of Na⁺-replete animals fed standard chow.

I) Summary of 60-minute Na⁺ appetite test following dietary Na⁺ deprivation in H₂O-restricted animals injected with AAV-GFP or AAV-taCasp3 (n = 9–10 mice/group). Orange line depicts the mean intake of Na⁺-replete animals fed standard chow. Unpaired two-tailed t-test, *P < 0.05. Unpaired two-tailed t-test, *P < 0.05.