Fig. 2

Quantification of hippocampal pericytes in dementias and ageing controls. A-D, Capillaries immunostained with COL4 showing pericytes identified by the morphology of ‘protrusion’ from the capillary walls surrounded by the COL4-positive membranes [10]. A, An original image at low power of the field containing 17 pericytes (yellow arrows). B-D, Images at higher power showing more detailed shape and size of capillary pericytes (black arrows). Only nucleated pericytes double positive for COL4 and haematoxylin were counted. E-F, Box plots showing number of pericytes per unit (mm) capillary length in the whole hippocampal formation (D) and CA1 region. The distribution of individual data points is shown beside each box plot. Pericyte numbers decreased in all groups compared to control subjects E, ***P < 0.001 Control vs. PSND and PSD; F, P < 0.01 Control vs. PSND and dementias. Scale bars; A-D = 50 μm.