Fig 1.
Dynamic changes in Evans blue concentrations in the brain homogenates of mice with A. cantonensis infection by intraperitoneal injection.
The amount of Evans blue in the mice brain significantly increased 3 weeks after infection compared to the uninfected mice (p < 0.05). For each group, n = 5. All data are presented as mean ± SEM. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 2.
Western blot analysis of tight junctional proteins occludin and claudin-5 in the CSF of mice with A. cantonensis infection.
The expressions of occludin and claudin-5 in the CSF tended to increase 3 weeks after infection compared to the uninfected mice (p = 0.057 and p = 0.0286, respectively). Dexamethasone administration only had marginal effect on the decrease of expressions of BBB junctional proteins occludin and claudin-5. Upper: Representative Western blots of claudin-5 and occludin in the different groups. Lower: Quantitation of claudin-5 and occludin in different groups. For each group, n = 5. All data are presented as mean ± SEM. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection; 3W + Dex: mice given dexamethasone for 2 weeks (7th to 21st day post infection) and sacrificed on day 21.
Fig 3.
Western blot analysis of 14-3-3 protein isoform expressions in the CSF in the mice with A. cantonensis infection.
There were significant increases in the amounts of 14-3-3 protein isoforms β and γ in the CSF in the third week after infection compared to the controls. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 4.
Western blot analysis of 14-3-3 protein isoform expressions in the brain homogenates in the mice with A. cantonensis infection.
The expressions of 14-3-3 protein isoforms in the brain homogenates did not significantly change following 2–3 weeks of infection. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 5.
Western blot analysis of 14-3-3 protein isoform expressions in the serum in the mice with A. cantonensis infection.
The expressions of 14-3-3 protein isoforms in the serum did not significantly change following 2–3 weeks of infection. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 6.
Mice brain hematoxylin and eosin staining.
It revealed severe eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with hemorrhage, cerebral necrosis and nematode migration (arrow) in the cerebrum after 3 weeks of infection compared to the controls and those after 1–2 weeks of infection. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 7.
IHC studies for 14-3-3 protein isoforms β, ε, γ and η in the meninges of the cerebrum.
IHC studies showing significant increases in 14-3-3 protein isoforms β, γ and ε in the cerebrum meninges in the second and third weeks after infection compared to the controls and those infected for 1 week. Scale bar, 10 um at 10x and 40x magnification. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 8.
IHC studies for 14-3-3 protein isoforms τ, ζ, θ and pan 14-3-3 in the meninges of the cerebrum.
IHC studies showing significant increases in 14-3-3 protein isoforms θ in the cerebrum meninges in the second and third weeks after infection compared to the controls and those infected for 1 week. Scale bar, 10 um at 10x and 40x magnification. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 9.
IHC studies for 14-3-3 protein isoforms β, ε, γ and η in the meninges of the cerebellum.
IHC studies showing significant increases in 14-3-3 protein isoforms β, γ and ε in the cerebellum in the second and third weeks after infection compared to the controls and those infected for 1 week. Scale bar, 10 um at 10x and 40x magnification. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 10.
IHC studies for 14-3-3 protein isoforms τ, ζ, θ and pan 14-3-3 in the meninges of the cerebellum.
IHC studies showing significant increases in 14-3-3 protein isoforms θ in the cerebellum meninges in the second and third weeks after infection compared to the controls and those infected for 1 week. Scale bar, 10 um at 10x and 40x magnification. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection.
Fig 11.
The IHC studies for BBB junctional proteins occludin and claudin-5.
IHC studies showing significant increases in occludin and claudin-5 expressions in the brain meninges in the second and third weeks after infection compared to the controls and those infected for 1 week. Dexamethasone administration significantly decreased the expressions of occludin and claudin-5 in the mice meninges. Scale bar, 10 um at 10x and 40x magnification. Control: no parasitic infection; 1W: 1 week after infection; 2W: 2 weeks after infection; 3W: 3 weeks after infection; 3W + Dex: mice given dexamethasone for 2 weeks (7th to 21st day post infection) and sacrificed on day 21.