Figure 4From: Genetic background modifies neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation driven by misfolded human tau protein in rat model of tauopathy: implication for immunomodulatory approach to Alzheimer's diseaseQualitative and quantitative profile of activated microglia in two transgenic rat models of human tauopathy. Prominent microgliosis was observed by immunohistochemical staining with Iba1 antibody in both transgenic lines - WKY TG (A) and SHR TG (B) - compared to non-transgenic WKY (C) and SHR (D) age-matched controls. Stereological quantification revealed that the numbers of Iba1-positive microglia/macrophages in brainstem of both transgenic lines doubled in comparison with non-transgenic controls (G, two-way ANOVA, transgenic factor, *** p < 0.0001). There is also a tendency to a higher number of Iba-1 positive microglia in SHR TG rats compared to WKY TG. The morphology of microglia in brainstem of transgenic rats indicates a high level of activation including presumptive phagocytosis (E, F - arrows). In SHR TG rats, there are significantly more microglia showing phagocyte-like morphology than in WKY TG (H, two-way ANOVA, transgenic factor, *** p < 0.0001, genetic background factor, ** p = 0.001). Pre-fixed frozen sections. Scale bars: 50 μm for A-D, 20 μm for E, F.Back to article page