# Protocol for immunodetection of α-synuclein pathology in paraffin-embedded liver tissues from murine models of Parkinson’s disease

**Authors:** Martin Hallbeck, Maria Ntzouni, Martin Ingelsson, Juan F. Reyes

PMC · DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2025.104158 · 2025-10-24

## TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed protocol for detecting α-synuclein pathology in mouse liver tissues, which could help understand Parkinson’s disease progression.

## Contribution

A novel protocol for immunodetecting α-synuclein in paraffin-embedded murine liver tissue using fluorescence microscopy.

## Key findings

- The protocol enables detection of both total and modified α-synuclein in liver tissues.
- The method can be adapted for use in human liver tissue studies.
- The approach supports investigations into the liver’s role in α-synuclein clearance in Parkinson’s disease.

## Abstract

The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) pathology in peripheral tissues of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has attracted growing scientific interest in recent years. Here, we present a protocol for the immunodetection of α-Syn pathology in murine liver tissue from models of PD using fluorescence microscopy. We describe steps for liver isolation, fixation, embedding, and immunodetection using an array of antibodies targeting α-Syn. This approach offers valuable applications for studying PD in transgenic mouse models and could be adapted for human liver tissue.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Hallbeck et al.1

•Direct protocol for detecting α-Syn pathology in paraffin-embedded murine liver tissue•Integrates precise tissue handling, fixation, staining, and imaging for α-Syn detection•Enables detection of total and modified α-Syn using antibody-based staining approaches•Facilitates investigation of liver’s role in α-Syn clearance in Parkinson’s disease

Direct protocol for detecting α-Syn pathology in paraffin-embedded murine liver tissue

Integrates precise tissue handling, fixation, staining, and imaging for α-Syn detection

Enables detection of total and modified α-Syn using antibody-based staining approaches

Facilitates investigation of liver’s role in α-Syn clearance in Parkinson’s disease

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) pathology in peripheral tissues of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has attracted growing scientific interest in recent years. Here, we present a protocol for the immunodetection of α-Syn pathology in murine liver tissue from models of PD using fluorescence microscopy. We describe steps for liver isolation, fixation, embedding, and immunodetection using an array of antibodies targeting α-Syn. This approach offers valuable applications for studying PD in transgenic mouse models and could be adapted for human liver tissue.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Parkinson’s disease (MONDO:0005180), Parkinson’s disease (MONDO:0005180)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Snca (synuclein, alpha) [NCBI Gene 20617] {aka NACP, alpha-Syn, alphaSYN}
- **Diseases:** PD (MESH:D010300)
- **Chemicals:** paraffin (MESH:D010232)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

9 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12594909/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12594909