Figure 4.

Fidgetin knockdown increases the average length of axons both on and off the aggrecan spots. A, B, Average lengths of control and shFIGN AAV5-treated axons were longer off-the-spot compared with on-the-spot, demonstrating the inhibitory effect of the aggrecan on axonal growth. After fidgetin knockdown, axons both on-the-spot and off-the-spot are obviously longer compared with control AAV5-treated axons. Dotted-line circles represent aggrecan spot tracings or ROIs. Axons off-the-spot are traced in green and found outside the dotted-line circles. Axons on-the-spot are traced in red and found inside the dotted-line circles. Scale bar, 2000 μm (the average diameter of the aggrecan spots). C, All groups had axons longer off-the-spot compared with on-the-spot: **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.001. Axonal length off the aggrecan spot was significantly longer for the AAV5 shFIGN treatment group: *p = 0.005. Fidgetin knockdown significantly increased axon length on the spots compared with the control group: ^#p < 0.001.