Fig. 1

AC infection reduces MCH expression in mice. A Differential volcano plot illustrating brain transcriptome changes in AC-infected mice. B RT–qPCR analysis of Pmch mRNA transcription levels in the whole brain (n = 3) and hypothalamus (n = 4). C, D Panoramic localization of MCH in coronal brain sections. Part D is an enlarged view of part C. E, F Representative images of MCH costained with NeuN and GFAP. G, H Representative images depicting MCH immunofluorescence in hypothalamic regions, along with fluorescence intensity statistics (n = 3). Data are presented as mean ± SD. Compared with the control group, statistical significance is denoted as *P < 0.05, ****P < 0.0001. NotSig not significant, Pmch pro-melanin-concentrating hormone, dpi days post infection, MCH melanin-concentrating hormone, DAPI 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, NeuN neuronal nuclei, GFAP glial fibrillary acidic protein, 3V 3rd ventricle, ARH hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, DMH dorsomedial hypothalamus, LHA lateral hypothalamic area, VMH ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, ZI zona incerta