Fig. 8. Overexpression of p65 augments NF-B activation and promotes neuronal survival but does not enhance neurite growth. (A) Photomicrographs of representative fields of P0 nodose neurons co-transfected with the B-dependent GFP reporter plasmid, RFP plasmid and either the p65 overexpression plasmid (bottom) or the corresponding empty plasmid (top) and cultured with BDNF for 24 hours. Transfected neurons are outlined by the RFP (shown with a white filter, left panels). GFP fluorescence in the same fields (right panels) shows the marked increase caused by p65 overexpression. (B) Quantification of the level of NF-B-driven GFP fluorescence in p65 transfected and control transfected neurons after 24 hours incubation with BDNF. Fluorescence measurements are expressed as a percentage of the mean fluorescence of the control vector-transfected group (mean and standard error are shown). (C) Percent survival 48 hours after transfection. (D) Total neurite length after 24 hours incubation. (E) Number of branching points in neurite arbors after 24 hours incubation. (F) Sholl analysis of neurite arbor morphology after 24 hours incubation. Statistical comparisons shown are with respect to the control transfected neurons, **P<0.001. Scale bars: 100 µm.