Fig. 1

Capillaries with pericytes in the frontal cortex. A and B, Cerebral cortical capillaries immunostained with COL4 from a 95-year-old female PSND subject. Pericytes (black arrows) were identified by the morphology of ‘protrusion’ from the capillary walls surrounded by the COL4-positive membrane and separated from vascular lumen by COL4-positive basement membrane. Insets showing detailed structures of capillary pericytes at higher magnification. C and D, The cortical capillary networks immunostained with COL4 (blue/grey) and PDGFR-β (brown) were similar in both layers III and V [19]. COL4 and PDGFR-β double-positive cells (black arrows) are likely to be pericytes. E and F, Immunofluorescent staining with COL4 (green) and DAPI (blue) in the cerebral cortex, representing a pericyte (white arrow). G-J, Another segment of capillary immunostained with COL4 (green), PDGFR-β (red) and DAPI (blue). Nucleated pericytes double positive for COL4 and PDGFR-β (white arrow) are clearly visible. Images C-D were derived from an 81-year-old female with PSD, E–F, from a 74-year-old VaD and G-J from a 78-year-old PSND subject. Scale bars; A-E = 50 µm; F = 20 µm; J = 10 µm