Fig. 5Figure 5
Genetic activation of endothelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vivo mitigates LPS-induced BBB leakage and neuroinflammation. A , Schematic illustration of experimental design for the induction of β-catenin (encoded by Ctnnb1 ) constitutive activation in mice with LPS-induced endotoxemia. B , RT-qPCR analysis of the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes Axin2 , Apcdd1 , Nkd1 , and Notum in brain endothelial cells (ECs) isolated by flow cytometry from WT or β-cat mice (normalized to β-actin). C , Mortality rate of WT and β-cat mice at 24 h following Saline or LPS treatment. WT + Saline ( n = 10 mice), WT + LPS ( n = 16 mice), β-cat + LPS ( n = 8 mice). D , Body weight change of the mice at 24 h after Saline or LPS injection. WT + Saline ( n = 6 mice), WT + LPS ( n = 7 mice), β-cat + LPS ( n = 6 mice). E , Co-immunofluorescence staining of LEF1 and CD31 in the brain cortex and its qualifications. F-G , Representative brain images showing Evans Blue leak