Fig. 6

Internalization of α-syn aggregates is impaired with age in females but not males. a Western blot analysis of internalized and degraded α-syn aggregates by young and aged female NK cells. NK cells isolated from spleens of young and aged male and female mice were treated with α-syn aggregates for 1 hr (uptake). NK cells were then washed 3 times and incubated in fresh medium for 4 hr (degradation). Untreated samples indicate NK cells that were not treated with α-syn aggregates. b Quantification analysis of internalized and degraded α-syn aggregates in females. c Quantification analysis of internalized and degraded α-syn aggregates in males. Young males (n = 5, 2–3 months); young females (n = 3, 2–3 month); aged males (n = 5, 18–19 months); aged females (n = 3, 21–22 months). Data were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test. Data represent mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001