Fig. 7

Fig. 7. Characterization of autophagy induction in the optic tectum using vibratome sections of Tg(CMV:GFP-Lc3) fish, at different time points after optic nerve damage. In contrast to the naive condition showing low levels of GFP-Lc3 fluorescence, a bright striped pattern was visible in the SO and SFGS of the optic tectum one day after ONC. Thereafter, GFP-Lc3⁺ somas were visible at 3, 6 and 10 dpi, with the latter two time points also showing more fluorescent labeling in areas where RGC axon terminals reinnervate the superficial layers of the optic tectum (SFGS and SO) after ONC. The autophagic response is diminished at 14 dpi, but only resolves in three weeks after injury. Scale bar = 200 µm (left panels) or 25 µm (right panels). White arrows at 6 dpi indicate the dorsomedial and ventrolateral peripheral areas of the optic tectum, where the RGC axons re-enter first. Representative images of n = 4. Dpi, days post-injury; GFP, green fluorescent protein; post-injury; Lc3, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3; PGZ, periventricular gray zone; SAC, stratum album centrale; SFGS, stratum fibrosum et griseum superficiale; SGC, stratum griseum centrale; SO, stratum opticum.