Figure 7.

Higher Stiffness of the Neurogenic Niches

(A) Schematic drawing of the stiffness measurements on coronal slices (300 μm) with AFM.

(B) Stiffness was assessed in the SEZ, the MEZ, the striatum, and the Cx. Both ventricular regions are significantly stiffer than the Cx and the striatum that both have similar tissue stiffness. The SEZ was significantly stiffer than the MEZ. Data shown as whisker plots, ^∗p = 0.05 and ^∗∗p = 0.01.

(C) Representative tissue heatmap of OB measurements with scale bar as indicated.

(D) In the OB, the end of the RMS was less stiff in comparison to the adjacent olfactory tract. The granule cell layer (GCL) was even stiffer still, as well as the internal and external plexiform layer (IPL/EPL) and the glomerular layer (GL). Data shown as whisker plots, Mann-Whitney test (two tailed), ^∗p = 0.05 and ^∗∗∗p = 0.001.

(E) Experimental setup for the primary SEZ culture plated on hydrogels with 100- or 200-Pa stiffness.

(F) Number of DAPI cells was similar at the end of the 5-day experimental period.

(G) Representative images of the Dcx+ cells at 5 days after plating.

(H) Hydrogels with 200-Pa stiffness significantly increased the percentage of Dcx+ cells in comparison to the same primary SEZ culture on hydrogels with 100 Pa stiffness. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. ^∗p = 0.05, paired t test.