Fig. 1

Leukocyte apoptosis between groups of DWMH. The percentages of (a) early apoptosis, (b) late apoptosis, and (c) APO 2.7 apoptosis in patients with normal, mild, and moderate to severe deep white matter (DWM) lesions. Apoptotic cells were defined as APO 2.7-positive. Leucocyte subtypes were identified according to their CD45 expression intensity. The presence of late apoptotic cells meant that the cell membrane integrity was disrupted. The presence of early apoptotic cells indicated that the apoptotic change was early and still reversible. Early apoptosis of total leucocytes was lower in patients with advanced DWM lesions. However, the late apoptosis of total leucocytes and APO 2.7 apoptosis of granulocytes and total leucocytes were significantly higher in patients with advanced DWM lesions compared with normal lesions. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. * P < 0.05 in group comparisons. DMWH, deep white matter hyperintensities