Fig. 4

AQP4 is overexpressed in syringomyelia. A, A large number of vacuoles and edema appeared around the central canal, and the tissue structure was obviously destroyed (left). Scale bar, 50 µm. Transmission electron microscopy of ependymal cells and spinal cord tissue around the central canal showed edema of astrocytic foot processes, cell necrosis, axonal injury and tissue disintegration (middle and right). B, GFAP.⁺ astrocytes around the central canal. Scale bar, 50 µm. C, Expression of AQP4 in cells around the syrinx was significantly higher than control group. Scale bar, 20 µm. D, AQP4 was co-stained with GFAP. Scale bar, 20 µm. E, The number of AQP4-positive cells was significantly higher in syringomyelia rats. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001