Figure 7.

Treatment with interferon (IFN)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and all proteins decrease AQP4 gene expression via activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) protein. IFN-α 5000 pg/mL downregulated AQP4 gene expression, whereas cotreatment with IFN-α 5000 pg/mL and fludarabine prevented such downregulation (a). IL-6A blocked the reduction in AQP4 seen upon IFN-α 5000 pg/mL (b). Treatment with IL-6 and all proteins decreased AQP4 gene expression, whereas cotreatment of IL-6 or all proteins with fludarabine prevented the reduction in AQP4 gene expression (c). Three independent experiments were conducted on independent cultures (n=3). Data are shown as mean±SEM. 1-way ANOVA, Newman–Keuls’ posthoc test ^*P<.05, ^***P<.001, compared with vehicle treatment or as indicated.