Figure 4. Inhibition of the p38 or ERK2 signaling pathway decreases cell apoptosis in brain tissues of MCAO mice. (A) ERK1/2 and p38 expression levels in the brain tissues of mice after treatment with si-p38, si-Erk2 alone or in combination were determined by immunohistochemistry (× 200); (B) immunofluorescence of cleaved caspase 3, TUNEL staining, and DAPI staining in brain tissues from mice treated with si-p38 or si-Erk2 alone or in combination (× 400); (C) mRNA levels of Erk2, Jnk, p38, Gfap, Bax or Bcl-2 in brain tissues of mice treated with si-p38 or si-Erk2 alone or in combination detected using RT-qPCR; (D) protein level of GFAP, Bax and Bcl-2 along with the extent of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 phosphorylation in brain tissues of mice treated with si-p38 or si-Erk2 alone or in combination detected using Western blot analysis. Measurement data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc test. * p < 0.05 vs. control group (sham-operated wild-type mice); # p < 0.05 vs. MCAO group (wild-type mouse models of MCAO). N = 15.