Fig. 4

VEGF mRNA and protein expression in primary astrocytes. Bar graph A VEGF mRNA expression in HS group was significantly decreased in comparison to hypoxia group after hypoxia for 4 h. B VEGF (45 kDa) and GAPDH (37 kDa) immunoreactive bands, respectively. Bar graph C the optical density of VEGF expression in HS group was drastically attenuated when compared with the hypoxia group (*P < 0.05). ^#indicates compared with sham group, P < 0.05. The values are presented as the mean ± SD. Immunofluorescence images showing GFAP labelled astrocytes (D, G, J, red), double labelled with VEGF (E, H, K, green). Co-localized expression of GFAP and VEGF in astrocytes can be seen in F, I and L. Note that VEGF expression in astrocytes is markedly enhanced at 24 h following MCAO. However, after treatment with 10 % HS, it is noticeably reduced. Scale bars (D–L), 20 μm