Fig. 8
Conditional UTX knockout in ECs regulates BSCB permeability following SCI via the MLCK/p-MLC pathway, promoting neurological recovery. a Western blotting analysis of MLCK, p-MLC, MLC in UTXf/f, UTX−/−, UTX−/− + LV CON, and UTX−/− + LV MLCK-OE mice at SCI 3d. b, c Quantitative analysis of the expression levels of MLCK and p-MLC in a. n = 3 per group. d Representative immunofluorescence images of p-MLC (red) and CD31 (green), DAPI (blue) staining of injured epicenter of spinal cord in UTXf/f, UTX−/−, UTX−/− + LV CON, and UTX−/− + LV MLCK-OE mice at SCI 3d. Scale bars, 50 μm. e Quantitative analysis of CD31+p-MLC+ cells as a percentage of CD31+ cells in d, n = 6 per group. f, g Distribution of the BMS scores and BMS sub-scores in UTXf/f, UTX−/−, UTX−/− + LV CON, and UTX−/− + LV MLCK-OE mice at pre-surgery and after SCI throughout the 56-day period. n = 12 per group. h Representative images of motor-evoked potential (MEP) in UTXf/f, UTX−/−, UTX−/− + LV CON, and UTX−/− + LV MLCK-OE mice at 56-day post-SCI. i Quantitative evaluation of the amplitude of MEPs in h. n = 6 per group. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. ns P > 0.05, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01