FIGURE 3.

Small, misfolded Tau aggregates are internalized by, and anterogradely transported in neurons. Recombinant hTau40 aggregates were prepared and added to neurons (days in vitro 7). Cells were washed and immunolabeled with anti-β-tubulin III (red) and anti-Tau (CP27, green) antibodies as described under “Experimental Procedures.” Blue, DAPI-stained cell nuclei. Representative confocal images showing Tau LMW (B) aggregates, short (C) and long fibrils (D), but not monomer (A) bound extensively to cells. Furthermore, Tau LMW aggregates and short fibrils were taken up and transported in axons toward the axonal terminals. Multiple insets denote higher magnification of the selected areas in individual and merged channels. Dotted lines indicate the edge of the microgroove. Scale bar, 50 μm.