Tau and TDP-43 accumulation of the basal nucleus of Meynert in individuals with cerebral lobar infarcts or hemorrhage

Hiroyuki Hatsuta,Shigeo Murayama,Kazutomi Kanemaru,Masaki Takao,Tadayuki Takata,Satoru Morimoto,Masato Hasegawa,Akane Nogami,Akiko Uchino,Tomio Arai,Tadashi Adachi,Hiroyuki Sumikura

doi:10.1186/s40478-019-0700-z

Abstract

A previous study reported that a massive cerebral infarct in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) may be associated with development of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the ipsilateral basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM). We analyzed 19 cases of an MCA territory infarct and 12 with a putaminal hemorrhage (mean age 82.5 years; female/male ratio 8/23; mean time from stroke onset to autopsy 4182 days). In both groups, 74–100% had a significantly higher rate of phosphorylated tau immunoreactive or Gallyas Braak silver stain-positive neurons on the BNM-affected side than on the BNM-unaffected side. These NFTs were immunoreactive for anti-RD3 and anti-RD4 antibodies, and a triple-band pattern was observed by immunoblot analysis with anti-tau antibody. Most NFTs might be formed within the 5–10 years after stroke onset. There were significantly more TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43) immunoreactive structures on the BNM-affected side than on the BNM-unaffected side. We showed that many NFTs with TDP43-immunoreactive structures were observed in the ipsilateral BNM associated with a massive cerebral infarct in the MCA territory or a putaminal hemorrhage.

Highlights

Tau is a protein that binds to and stabilizes microtubules, which is required for maintaining neuronal shape and transport of cellular cargo [3]
In most middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarct cases (14/19, 74%), the rate of ptau+ neurons was higher on the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM)-affected side than on the BNM-unaffected side (Figs. 1b, 2a)
The median rate was significantly higher on the BNM-affected side than on the BNM-unaffected side (p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

Tau is a protein that binds to and stabilizes microtubules, which is required for maintaining neuronal shape and transport of cellular cargo [3]. Abnormal tau accumulation is usually observed in the somata of neurons and glial cells. These filamentous tau aggregates contribute to pathologies of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Full list of author information is available at the end of the article one side of the hemisphere is associated with the development of numerous neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM) on the side ipsilateral to the infarct [11]. Those results, have not been well analyzed by other researchers or for other types of stroke

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Discussion

Conclusion