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Astroglial connexin immunoreactivity is specifically altered at β-amyloid plaques in β-amyloid precursor protein/presenilin1 mice
Mei X, Ezan P, Giaume C, Koulakoff A.. Neuroscience, 2010-09-15
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Activation of astrocytes surrounding amyloid plaques is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) with consequences yet poorly understood. Astrocytes are characterized by a high level of intercellular communication mediated by two gap-junction forming proteins, connexin-43 and connexin-30. As astroglial connexins (Cxs) are involved in neuronal dysfunctions and death, we have analyzed their expression pattern in two murine models of AD, that is two different β-amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin1(PS1) mice, using western blot and immunohistochemistry analyzed in confocal microscopy.
Key findings
- Astrocytes are characterized by a high level of intercellular communication mediated by two gap-junction forming proteins, connexin-43 and connexin-30.
- As astroglial connexins (Cxs) are involved in neuronal dysfunctions and death, we have analyzed their expression pattern in two murine models of AD, that is two different β-amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin1(PS1) mice, using western blot and immunohistochemistry analyzed in confocal microscopy.
- In young mice at 2 months, before the emergence of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits, the distribution of both Cxs was similar to that of control mice.
- In older animals≥4 months, local modifications in connexin immunostaining pattern were observed in the microenvironment of dense core Aβ plaques.
Why it matters
This study found altered astroglial connexin immunoreactivity specifically at amyloid plaques in two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. This is animal work and does not show that targeting connexins would treat or prevent the disease in people.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 42/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuroscience) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Neuroscience: journal h-index 370 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2010 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mice”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 120 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.7 citations a year over 18 year(s) since 2010 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 17 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Annette Koulakoff: h-index 38 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Inserm: institution h-index 1,988 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20813165) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 42 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Mei, X., Ezan, P., Giaume, C., & Koulakoff, A. (2010). Astroglial connexin immunoreactivity is specifically altered at β-amyloid plaques in β-amyloid precursor protein/presenilin1 mice. Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.001
Vancouver
Mei X, Ezan P, Giaume C, Koulakoff A. Astroglial connexin immunoreactivity is specifically altered at β-amyloid plaques in β-amyloid precursor protein/presenilin1 mice. Neuroscience. 2010. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.001. PMID: 20813165.
BibTeX
@article{mei2010-20813165,
author = {Mei, X. and Ezan, P. and Giaume, C. and Koulakoff, A.},
title = {{Astroglial connexin immunoreactivity is specifically altered at β-amyloid plaques in β-amyloid precursor protein/presenilin1 mice}},
journal = {Neuroscience},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.001},
pmid = {20813165},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.08.001}
}
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