Table 1.
Semiquantitative analysis of silver grains for cortical mRNA expression of subunits of the L-type calcium channel and PPT-A
| Probe | Wild type (ctx) | Sections analyzed | Transgenic animals (ctx) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halo | Core | |||
| Sense (BG) | 0.8 ± 0.12 | 12 | 1.0 ± 0.07 | 1.0 ± 0.08 |
| PPT-A | 0.9 ± 0.06 | 23 | 0.9 ± 0.08 | 3.1 ± 0.03*** |
| CaV1.2 α1 | 1.1 ± 0.1 | 43 | 1.0 ± 0.09 | 2.6 ± 0.1* |
| β1 | 0.8 ± 0.09 | 26 | 1.2 ± 0.08 | 1.9 ± 0.06 |
| β2 | 0.9 ± 0.03 | 26 | 1.0 ± 0.09 | 5.8 ± 0.4*** |
| β3 | 0.7 ± 0.1 | 14 | 1.1 ± 0.06 | 1.8 ± 0.1 |
| β4 | 1.0 ± 0.1 | 24 | 1.4 ± 0.1 | 5.9 ± 0.3*** |
| α2δ-1 | 0.8 ± 0.08 | 24 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 5.4 ± 0.3*** |
| α2δ-2 | 0.8 ± 0.01 | 29 | 1.1 ± 0.1 | 1.2 ± 0.1 |
| α2δ-3 | 0.8 ± 0.01 | 13 | 0.8 ± 0.07 | 0.8 ± 0.05 |
| α2δ-4 | 0.9 ± 0.04 | 15 | 0.6 ± 0.03 | 0.7 ± 0.05 |
The number of analyzed Alzheimer tg and wt brains was n = 4. The number of grains was counted by computer-assisted image analysis directly over the core (diameter 60 μm) or in the halo (180 μm diameter) in 11-month-old mice. Sense oligonucleotides defined the background (BG). Semiquantitative analysis showed that 31.1% ± 7.7% of all plaques were associated with vessels and expressed the calcium channel or PPT-A, the precursor for SP. Values are given as mean ± SEM grains/100 μm2. Statistical analysis was performed by one way ANOVA and subsequent Fisher least significant difference post hoc test (*p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001) by comparing against wild-type cortex (ctx) sections.
Significant values are indicated in bold.
Key: ANOVA, analysis of variance; PPT-A, preprotachykinin-A; SEM, standard error of the mean; SP, substance P.