Figure 4. Confirmation of PNN degradation after ChABC-treatment of acute slices in incubation chamber and in recording setup.

A and B. Confocal images of DAPI (top) and WFA (middle) fluorescence of acute cortical slices after post-experimental fixation from control (A), and ChABC-treated (B) groups. Inset images in overlay show the traces of controlled degradation of PNNs. C and D. Confocal images of DAPI (top) and WFA (middle) fluorescence from the ChABC-unexposed bottom surface (C), and ChABC-exposed top surface (D) of an acute brain slice in which PNNs were degraded in the experimental setup simultaneously with the experimental recording. The unexposed surface (C) shows relatively intact PNNs compared to the exposed surface (D), which shows degraded PNNs due to direct exposure of ChABC. Inset images in overlay are from the marked rectangular areas in the slices and show the traces of controlled PNN degradation. Scale bars: 100 µm in main images, 10 µm in inset images.