Fig. 4: Effects of TfR2-targeted deletion in an AAV-h-alpha-synuclein overexpressing model of PD.

A Schematic of intracranial injection of AAV-h-synuclein in the right SNpc hemisphere (ipsilateral). Transduction with rAAV coding for human alpha-synuclein (h-syn) results in its striatal increase in the ipsilateral hemisphere, as showed in the top left panel that is paralleled by decreased TH levels (bottom left panel) and remarkable Fe3+ deposits accumulation at the site of injection in the SNpc, indicative of ongoing pathology. B, C TfR2 deletion does not provide any protection against AAV-h-synuclein overexpression, as indicated by striatal dopaminergic innervation expressed as percentage of the contralateral side (B) and unbiased stereological counts of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc. Graphs represent scatter plots with bars. Two-tailed t test. Calibration bars: 1 mm (top) and 2 mm (bottom) in (A).