Fig. 6

Cell dispersion and astrogliosis in PACK- and bPAC-expressing CA1. A Representative image of a NeuN-labeled hippocampal section with PACK-mCherry expression in the right CA1. The diameter of the CA1 pyramidal cell layer was measured at six positions (red lines and white arrows) in three hippocampal sections per animal. B, C The mean width of the CA1 pyramidal cell layer in B PACK-expressing and C in bPAC-expressing hippocampus was significantly increased compared to the contralateral saline-injected hippocampus (paired t-test). D In mCherry-expressing CA1, the pyramidal cell layer width was similar as in the contralateral CA1. E The cell dispersion (right-left CA1 width) was the strongest in bPAC mice (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc). F In the representative image of a GFAP-stained section, GFAP labeling was visibly stronger in the PACK-expressing CA1. Mean gray value of GFAP labeling and mCherry expression was measured in the right dorsal CA1 including str. oriens, str. pyramidale, and str. radiatum (white dashed lines with arrows) in three sections per animal. GFAP intensity was measured at same positions in the left CA1 (white dashed lines). GFAP labeling intensity was significantly higher in G PACK, H bPAC, and I mCherry-expressing CA1 compared to the left saline-injected side (paired t-test). J There was no clear correlation between GFAP labeling intensity and mCherry intensity; however, PACK, bPAC, and mCherry mice formed three separate clusters with mCherry mice having the lowest GFAP labeling. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Mean presented with SEM as error bars. Scale bars: 200 μm. Individual data values are presented in Additional file 3