Fig. 3

VDAC1 is highly expressed in the neuropil surrounding the Aβ plaques of the 5 × FAD mouse model. a–d Representative cortical and hippocampal sections from WT and 5 × FAD mice treated and untreated with VBIT-4, IHC stained for Aβ (a, b) or VDAC1 (c, d). Higher magnifications of selected areas are shown within the dashed-line squares. e Confocal IF images of cortical and hippocampal sections from 5 × FAD mice co-IF-stained for Aβ and VDAC1. The over-expressed VDAC1 rings are formed around the Aβ plaques. f–h Quantitative analysis of VDAC1 expression levels in cortical sections outside the plaques (g), (area a in f) and in the neuropil surrounding the Aβ plaques (h), (area b in f); in h, numbers are relative to levels outside of the plaque (a). Results show means ± SEM (n = 3). **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. i Representative Co-IF staining of cortical sections from 5 × FAD mice for VDAC1 and neuronal markers (TUBB3, NeuN, synaptophysin); microglia (IBA1) or astrocytes (GFAP)