Quantitative Immunofluorescence Mapping of HSP70’s Neuroprotective Effects in FUS-ALS Mouse Models
Source abstract
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, often linked to mutations in the FUS gene, leading to toxic protein aggregates. This study investigates the role of HSP70, a molecular chaperone, in mitigating neurodegeneration in FUS-ALS mouse models. Using quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy, we mapped cellular changes in the primary motor cortex of double transgenic FUS/HSP70 mice and compared them to single FUS-transgenic controls. Our results reveal that double transgenic mice exhibit significantly reduced neuronal damage and increased levels of mature neuronal (NeuN) and microglial (Iba1) markers, indicating a protective effect of HSP70. Intracellular HSP70 expression proved more effective than extracellular release, suggesting that targeted HSP70 delivery to neurons may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for ALS. This study underscores the potential of quantitative immunofluorescence for mapping neuroprotective pathways and highlights HSP70’s impact on mitigating FUS-related pathology in ALS.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Heat shock proteins research · Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease · Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 11/10, Mokhovaya Street, 125009 Moscow, Russia
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Funding
Russian Science Foundation
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