Figure 7.

Cone degeneration in late-stage APP23 mice

(A) Expression of cone-specific photopigments S-opsin and M-opsin in retinas from APP23 and WT mice was evaluated using Western blot. Expression levels were analyzed using densitometry and normalized by the GAPDH level.

(B and C) S-opsin and M-opsin expression levels of APP23 mice were not different from those of control WT mice at 3, 6, and 9 months.

(D–F) S-opsin and M-opsin levels of APP23 mice were not different from those of control WT mice at 12 months.

(G–I) Expression of S-opsin and M-opsin was lower in APP23 mice than in control WT mice at 18 months.

(J–L) Immunofluorescence labeling with S- or M-opsin showed lower cone density in APP23 mice than in WT mice at 18 months.

(M–N) Immunofluorescence labeling with PNA showed that cone density is lower in APP23 mice than in WT mice at 18 months. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. ns: not significant, ∗: p < 0.05, ∗∗: p < 0.01, Student's t test. Scale bar = 20 μm