TMX3 expression decreases striatal neuronal atrophy in HD mice.

A-B. Mice were injected with lentiviral combinations (methods) at 8-weeks of age and sacrificed at 14-weeks. Brain sections were stained for Nissl substance and mhtt. Confocal images were collected in the region where htt staining was detected. Neuronal cell body volumes were determined using the nucleator method on confocal z-stack images (methods). A. Representative images of fluorescent Nissl stained neurons in the region of the striatal injection site. Numbers below images represent the number of mice per treatment group; numbers in parenthesis represent the minimum and maximum number of neurons counted per mouse within the group. B. Striatal neuronal cell body volume. Mice expressing N171-82Q and mutant (inactive) TMX3 (mTMX3) have significantly smaller neuronal cell bodies than mice expressing N171-82Q and active TMX3. The main effect p-value is 0.0346; pair-wise comparison p-values are on graph. n=9-10. C. Spontaneous wheel running activity is not altered by N171-18/82Q and / or TMX3 expression. See methods for experimental details. n=10.