Fig. 3.
Mapping Tripartite Synapses in the SOD1G93a Mouse Spinal Cord. a Example of high-resolution spinal cord mapping of tripartite synapses from 16-week-old male control and SOD1G93a mice using PSD95-eGFP, VGLUT2 and p-Ezrin to label the PSDs, presynaptic terminals and PAPs, respectively. Cropped images display individual synaptic and tripartite synaptic structures (denoted by arrows). b Example of high-resolution spinal cord mapping of tripartite synapses from 16-week-old male control and SOD1G93a mice using PSD95-eGFP, VGLUT2 and EAAT2 to label the PSDs, presynaptic terminals and PAPs, respectively. Cropped images display individual synaptic and tripartite synaptic structures (denoted by arrows). c Colour coded heat maps denote the difference in synapse or tripartite synapse density observed in SOD1G93a mice as a percentage of the respective controls. Bar charts display the mean synapse density from mice, averaged across all anatomical subregions for simplicity. From p-Ezrin labelling, no changes in non-tripartite or tripartite synapses were observed in 8 week SOD1G93a mice. d From EAAT2 labelling, no changes in non-tripartite synapses were observed, but a significant increase in tripartite synapses was observed in 8 week SOD1G93a mice compared to control. e From p-Ezrin labelling, no changes in non-tripartite or tripartite synapses were observed in 12 week SOD1G93a mice. f From EAAT2 labelling, no changes in non-tripartite synapses were observed, but a significant decrease in tripartite synapses was observed in 12 week SOD1G93a mice compared to control. g From p-Ezrin labelling, no changes in non-tripartite synapses were observed, but a significant decrease in tripartite synapses was observed in 16 week SOD1G93a mice compared to control. h From EAAT2 labelling, no changes in non-tripartite synapses were observed, but a significant decrease in tripartite synapses was observed in 16 week SOD1G93a mice compared to control