Fig. 5

Effects of necroptosis on the neurotrophic function of astrocytes. a TUNEL staining of primary spinal cord neurons treated with CM from normal, necroptotic, and necroptosis-inhibited astrocytes. Notice that necroptotic astrocytes were neurotoxic and their detrimental effects on neurons could be alleviated by Nec-1. Bar = 50 μm. **P <0.01, *P <0.05. n = 3. b Double-staining of GFAP and GDNF in PBS and Nec-1 treated mice. Nec-1 treatment significantly increased the number of reactive astrocytes which express GDNF. Bar = 50 μm. *P <0.05. n = 3. c Double-staining of GFAP and GDNF in WT and RIP3^−/− mice. RIP3 depletion significantly increased the number of reactive astrocytes which express GDNF. Bar = 50 μm. *P <0.05. n = 3. d Cavity area and the number of neurons in adjacent regions which were 400 μm rostral and caudal to cavity border at 14 days post-injury in mice treated with PBS or Nec-1. Nec-1 significantly improved neuronal survival and reduced cavity area. Bars = 150 μm. *P <0.05. n = 6. e Cavity area and the number of neurons in adjacent regions which were 400 μm rostral and caudal to cavity border at 14 days post-injury in WT and RIP3^−/− mice. RIP3 mutation significantly improved neuronal survival and reduced cavity area. Bars = 150 μm. *P <0.05. n = 6