Figure 4.

Disturbing CXLC12/CXCR4 pathway at the hyperacute phase after stroke could inhibit M1 microglia migration and inflammatory responses in the IBZ. (A) Representative images of the IBZ double‐stained with iNOS (green) and Iba‐1 (red) antibodies. DAPI staining (blue) was used to label the nucleus. Rats received AMD3100 or vehicle treatment twice with 6‐h interval at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after tMCAO, and brain slices were prepared 24 h after last treatment. Double positive cells indicated by arrows are shown at higher magnification in the bottom‐left panels. Scare bar: 40 and 10 μm, respectively. (B) Quantification of the M1 microglia cells (iNOS⁺/Iba‐1⁺ cell) in the IBZ per mm² at indicated time points after AMD3100 or vehicle treatment (n = 5 per group). (C) Quantification of mRNA expression for TNF‐α, iNOS, IL‐6, and IL‐1β in the IBZ at indicated time points after AMD3100 or vehicle treatment. Data are expressed as fold change versus sham (n = 5 per group). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, AMD3100 versus vehicle.