Fig. 4. Hcy promotes autophagy in OGD/R NSCs by inhibiting the phosphorylation of mTOR.

a Representative western blot for p-mTOR. Bar graphs show semiquantitative levels of p-mTOR as determined by band density analysis. Data from three independent experiments. Note that the quantification of p-mTOR of other groups is normalized to the normal group. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. a P < 0.05 compared with the normal group. b P < 0.05 compared with the OGD/R group. b, c Representative western blot for LC3 and Beclin 1. Bar graphs show semiquantitative levels of LC3 and Beclin 1 as determined by band density analysis, respectively. β-actin was used as a loading control. Data from three independent experiments. Note that the quantification of Beclin 1 or LC3 II/LC3 I of other groups is normalized to the OGD/R group. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. a, c P < 0.05 compared with the OGD/R group. b P < 0.05 compared with the OGD/R + HCY group. d Representative electron photomicrographs of autophagosomes. Four panels in the bottom show the magnified images of the insets. The autophagy formation was indicated by the hash symbol in the OGD/R group. The arrowheads show characteristic autophagosomes in OGD/R + HCY and OGD/R + HCY + MHY groups. Normal morphology of cytoplasm was indicated by the asterisk symbol. Scale bar = 2 μm