Fig. 3: Effect of genetic inhibition of RIPK3 and MLKL on behavioral outcomes after CCI.

A Schematic drawing of the experiments. After obtaining baseline behavioral data, mice were subjected to CCI and tested on the wire grip beginning on postinjury day one and up to the indicated times. Morris water maze (MMW), rotarod, and novel object recognition test (NORT) were performed beginning 3 weeks after injury. B–F RIPK3−/− mice had significantly improved outcome after CCI vs. WT in tests of B wire grip (n = 19–21/group; *p < 0.05 for group, RM ANOVA), C rotarod (n = 9–12/group; *p < 0.05 for group, RM ANOVA), D MWM hidden platform trials (n = 9–12/group−; *p < 0.05 for group, RM ANOVA), E probe trials (n = 9-12/group, **p < 0.01) and F NORT (n = 9–10/group; *p < 0.05,**p < 0.01). G–J MLKL−/− mice performed similarly to WT after CCI in G wire grip test (n = 14-16/group), H rotarod test (n = 12–13/group), I MWM hidden platform trials (n = 14–16/group, p = ns for group, RM ANOVA), and J probe trials (n = 14–16/group, *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001).