Downregulated miR-137 activates the MAPK signaling pathway and increases cell apoptosis by increasing Src expression. (A) ERK1/2, p38 and Src in the brain tissues of miR-137-/- mice by immunohistochemistry (× 200); (B) immunofluorescence images of cleaved caspase 3, TUNEL staining, and DAPI staining in brain tissues from miR-137-/- mice (× 400); (C) mRNA levels of Erk2, Jnk, p38, Gfap, Bax and Bcl-2 in brain tissues from miR-137-/- mice detected using RT-qPCR; (D) protein levels of GFAP, Bax and Bcl-2 along with the extent of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 phosphorylation in brain tissues from miR-137-/- mice detected using Western blot analysis. Measurement data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc test. * p < 0.05 vs. control group (sham-operated wild-type mice); # p < 0.05 vs. MCAO group (wild-type mouse models of MCAO). N = 15.