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. 2013 Aug 22;8(8):e72919. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072919

Figure 2. Loss of Cx47 and Cx32 in chronic active NMO lesions in case NMO-6.

Figure 2

(A–M) Low magnification view of KB staining (A) and immunostainings for MOG (B), Cx47 (C) and Cx43 (D) in the cerebrum. Immunoreactivity for Cx47 is extensively diminished in the demyelinating lesion with cavitation in the cerebral white matter, whereas immunoreactivity for MOG is relatively preserved (A–C). This lesion is classified as pattern D for Cx43 and pattern A for Cx47/Cx32. Up-regulation of Cx43 immunoreactivity is observed in the corresponding demyelinating area (D). Arrows indicates cavitation and arrowheads show the lesion boundary (C, D). CD68-positive foamy macrophages are observed at the periphery and perivascular areas of the lesion. No foamy macrophages contain KB-positive granules within their cytoplasm (E, F, insert). Immunoreactivities for MAG and OSP are decreased in these lesions (G, H). Expression levels of Cx47 and Cx32 are extensively reduced in the lesion (I, J) compared with the non-affected white matter (K, L). Numerous Cx43- positive astrocytes are present in this lesion suggesting astrogliosis. Cx43 immunoreactivity is also preserved in the perivascular areas (M). Scale Bar = 2 mm (A–D); 20 µm (E); 100 µm (F–J, M); 50 µm (K, L).