Connexin-43 and aquaporin-4 are markers of ageing-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG)-related astroglial response.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Ageing-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG) appears in subependymal, subpial, perivascular, white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) locations. Physical effects, blood-brain barrier dysfunction and blood- or vessel-related factors have been considered as aetiology. As connexin-43 (Cx43) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are related to these, we hypothesized that their immunoreactivity (IR) varies with ARTAG in a location-specific manner.

Methods

We performed a morphometric immunohistochemical study measuring the densities of IR of Cx43, AQP4, AT8 (phospho-tau) and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP). We analysed the amygdala and hippocampus in age-matched cases with (n = 19) and without (n = 20) ARTAG in each of the locations it aggregates.

Results

We show a dramatic increase

SUBMITTER: Kovacs GG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5788733 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature