C-176 does not alter microglial phenotype
Since we identified an alteration to STING mRNA expression and TBK1 and
p-TBK1 expression in vehicle treated mice 24h post-TBI, we wanted to
elucidate if these changes also resulted in altered microglial activity.
Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on
CX3CR1eGFP mice which have fluorescently tagged
microglia. Morphological analysis was conducted on
CX3CR1eGFP mice 24h-post TBI to quantify any
phenotypical changes to the microglia that could indicate alterations to
the inflammatory environment in the CNS. STING was found to strongly
colocalise with CX3CR1-tagged microglia 2h-post TBI (Fig 5). There was a
small increase in soma size detected post-TBI compared to the microglia
contralateral to the TBI-lesion, however, no differences in total branch
length, cell area or soma area were observed between vehicle-treated and
C-176 treated mice post-TBI (Fig 6).