Nigrostriatal system in transgenic wild type and mutant human α-synuclein overexpressing mice do not show increased sensitivity to acute MPTP intoxication.

<p>Transgenic mice expressing moderate levels (∼3-fold over endogenous levels) of wild type (WT, line I2-2), A30P mutant (line T3), and A53T mutant (line N2-5) human α-synuclein were subjected to acute paradigm of MPTP (18 mg MPTP/kg free base X4, every 2h). <i>A.</i> Striatal levels of dopamine and major metabolite DOPAC in transgenic and non-transgenic littermate cohorts were analyzed 7 days after the last MPTP injection. No differences were seen among transgenic and non-transgenic mice receiving the same treatments (saline or MPTP). <i>B.</i> Stereologic neuronal counts of TH-immunopositive and total neurons in transgenic and non-transgenic littermate cohorts analyzed two weeks following the last MPTP injection. While MPTP treatments caused a significant reduction in TH-immunopositive and total neurons, no significant differences in neuronal counts are observed between transgenic and non transgenic mice receiving the same treatment (saline or MPTP). Data represent mean ± SEM. *<i>p<0.05</i>, statistical significance versus saline controls using two way ANOVA, n = 5-6 per group, n.s not significant.