Fig. 3

Dysregulated AHR/NF-κB signaling mediates hippocampal pathology both in the PCE-induced IUGR rats and in the co-cultured primary microglia and neurons. A Images under fluorescence microscopy showing different regions in hippocampus. Iba1 staining (green) and nuclear staining (DIPA, blue). Scale bar = 50 μm. B–D Number of Iba1⁺ cells, number of endpoints per microglia, and process length. E Total spine density in hippocampal neurons. F Mushroom spine density in hippocampal neurons. G Representative images of dendritic segments. Scale bar =10 μm. H Ultrastructure of synapses. Scale bar = 500 nm. I Synaptic vesicle numbers, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness, and length of the synaptic active zone. J mRNA levels of Syn and Psd95. K Schematic of the experimental design in vitro. L Images under fluorescence microscopy showing co-cultured microglia and neurons. SYN staining (green), PSD95 staining (green), MAP2 staining (red), and nuclear staining (DIPA, blue). Scale bar = 50 μm. M Fluorescence signals of SYN⁺/MAP2⁺ and PSD95⁺/MAP2⁺. N mRNA levels of Syn and Psd95. Dots in panels represent individual samples. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, and ^***P < 0.001