Fig. 3

Microglial P2Y12R deficiency enhances the c-fos expression in the ventral hippocampus in response to elevated plus maze. a C-fos staining showing more activated neurons from vHPC CA1 in microglial P2Y12R deficiency group after exposing to EPM. b Diagram showing the CA1 area investigated in the ventral hippocampus. c Quantification of c-fos⁺ cells in the CA1 region indicates equivalent c-fos expression levels in WT and constitutive KO animals prior to EPM exposure (naive state). Enhanced c-fos activation occurs in the constitutive KO group after performing in the EPM, when compared to WT controls. d c-fos staining showing increased c-fos expression in the prefrontal cortex in both WT and constitutive KO mice after exposure to the EPM environment. e Diagram showing the prelimbic area studied in mPFC. f Quantification of c-fos⁺ cells in the prelimbic area indicates equivalent c-fos expression levels in WT and constitutive KO animals prior to EPM exposure (naive state). After EPM exposure, c-fos activation is enhanced in both control and constitutive KO groups and does not differ between groups. *p < 0.05, t-test. All data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Scale bar: 50 μm