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Figure 5 | Molecular Brain

Figure 5

From: Cathepsin D expression level affects alpha-synuclein processing, aggregation, and toxicity in vivo

Figure 5

Mice lacking ctsd gene expression exhibit intracellular α-synuclein accumulation in several regions of the brain. Serial, paraffin-embedded sections from 24-day old cathepsin D knock-out mice (CathD) (A-C) and age-matched, wild-type control (D-F) mice (n = 5) were probed by immunohistochemistry with affinity-purified, polyclonal aSyn Ab, hSA-2. (A) In the frontal cortex of cathepsin D knock-out mice, scattered neurons with prominent intracellular aSyn-reactivity are detectable (arrows). (B) In the thalamus of CathD-deficient mice, the neuropil staining is reduced when compared with control animals, and small grain-like aggregates of aSyn are visible. (C) In the cerebellum of CathD deficient mice, abnormal aSyn-positive accumulations of varying size can be observed in the granular cell layer and deep nuclei; those that appear cytoplasmic are identified by arrows. (D-F) As expected, aSyn-positive aggregates are not found in age-matched, wild-type mice processed in parallel. CC denotes corpus callosum. Scale bar, 25 μm.

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