Proneurogenic and microglial modulatory properties of botulinum neurotoxin in the hippocampus of aging experimental mice

Figure 3 Immunohistochemical analysis of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. A: Representative image of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba)-1 immunopositive cells in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of control and botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-treated mice. The scale bar = 25 μm; B: The bar graph represents the number of Iba-1 positive cells in the hippocampal DG region. The number of Iba-1 positive cells in the BoNT has been significantly reduced when compared to the control group (^cP value ≤ 0.01); C: The pie chart illustrates the percentage distribution of M1 and M2 microglial phenotypes in control and BoNT-treated groups. The light maroon segment represents the protective M2 phenotype, while the dark maroon segment indicates the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype. A prominent reduction in M1 microglia, accompanied by a shift toward the M2 phenotype, was observed following BoNT treatment. DG: Dentate gyrus; BoNT: Botulinum neurotoxin; Iba-1: Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1.