Research Paper Volume 15, Issue 3 pp 630—649

Figure 4. Platelet depletion impairs amyloid beta phagocytosis by microglia. (A) Brain tissue stained for amyloid plaques (green, thioflavin S), microglia (white, Iba1) and microglial phagolysosomes (red, CD68) was used for 3D in silico analysis of microglial phagocytosis in the hippocampus. (B–D) Platelet-depleted mice showed similar CD68+ phagolysosome volume, decreased amounts of internalized fibrillar amyloid beta and a higher number of plaque-associated microglia compared with IgG treated controls. (E–G) The same effects were observed in platelet-depleted females. (H–J) Males showed no significant differences between experimental groups. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by unpaired Student’s t test (n = 8–9/treatment; “full forms” represent females and “empty forms” males). ^*p < 0.05. Scale bar: 10 μm. Abbreviation: ThioS: thioflavin S.