ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 27701

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: prion; prion-like proteins; synuclein; nervous system; zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Synucleins are vertebrate-conserved proteins particularly expressed in the central nervous system. Alpha, beta and gamma synucleins are peculiar proteins involved in important neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and in tumours. Synucleins are biologically fascinating proteins, in particular, alpha synuclein, due to their prion-like characteristics. An in-depth study of the neurobiology of these proteins is essential to understand their role and the pathogenic mechanisms in which they are involved. The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect scientific articles and reviews that can contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this field.

Dr. Mattia Toni
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • synuclein
  • prion-like protein
  • nervous system
  • brain
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • synucleinopathies

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

6 pages, 204 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein”
by Mattia Toni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3223; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063223 - 12 Mar 2024
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Synucleins are a family of proteins consisting of α, β, and γ synuclein (syn) [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

14 pages, 2366 KiB  
Article
Nuclear α-Synuclein-Derived Cytotoxic Effect via Altered Ribosomal RNA Processing in Primary Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts
by Dong Hwan Ho, Hyejung Kim, Daleum Nam, Jinju Heo and Ilhong Son
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(3), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032132 - 21 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1548
Abstract
α-Synuclein (αSyn) is an important player in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. The aggregation of αSyn is mainly formed in the cytoplasm, whereas some αSyn accumulation has also been found in the nuclei of neurons. To assess the effect of nuclear αSyn, we generated [...] Read more.
α-Synuclein (αSyn) is an important player in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. The aggregation of αSyn is mainly formed in the cytoplasm, whereas some αSyn accumulation has also been found in the nuclei of neurons. To assess the effect of nuclear αSyn, we generated αSyn conjugated with a nuclear export signal (NES) or a nuclear localization signal (NLS), and compared them with wild-type αSyn in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) using DNA transfection. Overexpression of NLS-αSyn increased cytotoxicity. The levels of apoptotic markers were increased by NLS-αSyn in MEF. Interestingly, an increase in the levels of 40S ribosomal protein 15 was observed in MEF expressing NLS-αSyn. These MEF also showed a higher 28S/18S rRNA ratio. Intriguingly, the expression of NLS-αSyn in MEF enhanced segmentation of nucleolin (NCL)-positive nucleolar structures. We also observed that the downregulation of NCL, using shRNA, promoted a relatively higher 28S/18S rRNA ratio. The reduction in NCL expression accelerated the accumulation of αSyn, and NCL transfection enhanced the degradation of αSyn. These results suggest that nuclear αSyn contributes to the alteration in ribosomal RNA processing via NCL malfunction-mediated nucleolar segmentation, and that NCL is a key factor for the degradation of αSyn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3045 KiB  
Article
ATP13A2 Gene Silencing in Drosophila Affects Autophagic Degradation of A53T Mutant α-Synuclein
by Nisha R. Dhanushkodi, Salema B. Abul Khair, Mustafa T. Ardah and M. Emdadul Haque
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1775; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021775 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
Mutations in ATP13A2 (PARK9), an autophagy-related protein, cause Kufor–Rakeb syndrome, an autosomal recessive, juvenile-onset form of parkinsonism. α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic neuronal protein that forms toxic aggregates in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We studied α-syn aggregation and autophagic flux in ATP13A2-knockdown [...] Read more.
Mutations in ATP13A2 (PARK9), an autophagy-related protein, cause Kufor–Rakeb syndrome, an autosomal recessive, juvenile-onset form of parkinsonism. α-Synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic neuronal protein that forms toxic aggregates in Parkinson’s disease (PD). We studied α-syn aggregation and autophagic flux in ATP13A2-knockdown Drosophila expressing either wild-type (WT) or mutant α-syn. Dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss was studied by confocal microscopy. Sleep and circadian activity were evaluated in young and old flies using a Drosophila activity monitor. Thirty-day-old ATP13A2-RNAi A53T-α-syn flies had increased Triton-insoluble α-syn levels, compared to control A53T-α-syn flies without ATP13A2-RNAi. Whole-brain staining revealed significantly fewer dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the PPL2 cluster of 30-day-old ATP13A2-RNAi flies expressing WT-, A30P-, and A53T-α-syn than in that of controls. In ATP13A2-RNAi A53T-α-syn flies, autophagic flux was decreased, as indicated by increased accumulation of Ref(2)P, the Drosophila p62 homologue. ATP13A2 silencing decreased total locomotor activity in young, and enhanced sleep features, similar to PD (decreasing bout length), in old flies expressing A53T-α-syn. ATP13A2 silencing also altered the circadian locomotor activity of A30P- and A53T-α-syn flies. Thus, ATP13A2 may play a role in the autophagic degradation of A53T-α-syn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4712 KiB  
Article
α-Synuclein Aggregates in the Nigro-Striatal Dopaminergic Pathway Impair Fine Movement: Partial Reversal by the Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist
by Qionghui Cai, Na Xu, Yan He, Jiamin Zhu, Fenfen Ye, Zhi Luo, Ruojun Lu, Linshan Huang, Feiyang Zhang, Jiang-Fan Chen and Yan Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(2), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021365 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1449
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized pathologically by abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) in the brain and clinically by fine movement deficits at the early stage, but the roles of α-Syn and associated neural circuits and neuromodulator bases in the development of fine movement [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized pathologically by abnormal aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) in the brain and clinically by fine movement deficits at the early stage, but the roles of α-Syn and associated neural circuits and neuromodulator bases in the development of fine movement deficits in PD are poorly understood, in part due to the lack of appropriate behavioral testing paradigms and PD models without motor confounding effects. Here, we coupled two unique behavioral paradigms with two PD models to reveal the following: (i) Focally injecting α-Syn fibrils into the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and the transgenic expression of A53T-α-Syn in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN, PITX3-IRES2-tTA/tetO-A53T mice) selectively impaired forelimb fine movements induced by the single-pellet reaching task. (ii) Injecting α-Syn fibers into the SN suppressed the coordination of cranial and forelimb fine movements induced by the sunflower seed opening test. (iii) Treatments with the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist KW6002 reversed the impairment of forelimb and cranial fine movements induced by α-Syn aggregates in the SN. These findings established a causal role of α-Syn in the SNc-DLS dopaminergic pathway in the development of forelimb and cranial fine movement deficits and suggest a novel therapeutic strategy to improve fine movements in PD by A2AR antagonists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2315 KiB  
Article
Neurochemical Monitoring of Traumatic Brain Injury by the Combined Analysis of Plasma Beta-Synuclein, NfL, and GFAP in Polytraumatized Patients
by Rebecca Halbgebauer, Steffen Halbgebauer, Patrick Oeckl, Petra Steinacker, Eberhard Weihe, Martin K.-H. Schafer, Francesco Roselli, Florian Gebhard, Markus Huber-Lang and Markus Otto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(17), 9639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179639 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2319
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major determining factor of outcome in severely injured patients. However, reliable brain-damage-monitoring markers are still missing. We therefore assessed brain-specific beta-synuclein as a novel blood biomarker of synaptic damage and measured the benchmarks neurofilament light chain (NfL), [...] Read more.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major determining factor of outcome in severely injured patients. However, reliable brain-damage-monitoring markers are still missing. We therefore assessed brain-specific beta-synuclein as a novel blood biomarker of synaptic damage and measured the benchmarks neurofilament light chain (NfL), as a neuroaxonal injury marker, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as an astroglial injury marker, in patients after polytrauma with and without TBI. Compared to healthy volunteers, plasma NfL, beta-synuclein, and GFAP were significantly increased after polytrauma. The markers demonstrated highly distinct time courses, with beta-synuclein and GFAP peaking early and NfL concentrations gradually elevating during the 10-day observation period. Correlation analyses revealed a distinct influence of the extent of extracranial hemorrhage and the severity of head injury on biomarker concentrations. A combined analysis of beta-synuclein and GFAP effectively discriminated between polytrauma patients with and without TBI, despite the comparable severity of injury. Furthermore, we found a good predictive performance for fatal outcome by employing the initial plasma concentrations of NfL, beta-synuclein, and GFAP. Our findings suggest a high diagnostic value of neuronal injury markers reflecting distinct aspects of neuronal injury for the diagnosis of TBI in the complex setting of polytrauma, especially in clinical surroundings with limited imaging opportunities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 13760 KiB  
Article
NOS1AP Interacts with α-Synuclein and Aggregates in Yeast and Mammalian Cells
by Anton B. Matiiv, Svetlana E. Moskalenko, Olga S. Sergeeva, Galina A. Zhouravleva and Stanislav A. Bondarev
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(16), 9102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23169102 - 14 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1895
Abstract
The NOS1AP gene encodes a cytosolic protein that binds to the signaling cascade component neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). It is associated with many different disorders, such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, cardiovascular disorders, and breast cancer. The NOS1AP (also known as [...] Read more.
The NOS1AP gene encodes a cytosolic protein that binds to the signaling cascade component neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). It is associated with many different disorders, such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, cardiovascular disorders, and breast cancer. The NOS1AP (also known as CAPON) protein mediates signaling within a complex which includes the NMDA receptor, PSD-95, and nNOS. This adapter protein is involved in neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthesis regulation via its association with nNOS (NOS1). Our bioinformatics analysis revealed NOS1AP as an aggregation-prone protein, interacting with α-synuclein. Further investigation showed that NOS1AP forms detergent-resistant non-amyloid aggregates when overproduced. Overexpression of NOS1AP was found in rat models for nervous system injury as well as in schizophrenia patients. Thus, we can assume for the first time that the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders include misfolding and aggregation of NOS1AP. We show that NOS1AP interacts with α-synuclein, allowing us to suggest that this protein may be implicated in the development of synucleinopathies and that its aggregation may explain the relationship between Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4562 KiB  
Article
Neuronal ApoE Regulates the Cell-to-Cell Transmission of α-Synuclein
by Seo-Jun Kang, Soo-Jeong Kim, Hye Rin Noh, Beom Jin Kim, Jae-Bong Kim, Uram Jin, Sun Ah Park and Sang Myun Park
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158311 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3120
Abstract
The presence of protein inclusions, called Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), in the brain is the main feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent evidence that the prion-like propagation of α-synuclein (α-syn), as a major component of LBs and LNs, plays an [...] Read more.
The presence of protein inclusions, called Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy neurites (LNs), in the brain is the main feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent evidence that the prion-like propagation of α-synuclein (α-syn), as a major component of LBs and LNs, plays an important role in the progression of PD has gained much attention, although the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated whether neuronal ApoE regulates the cell-to-cell transmission of α-syn and explored its molecular mechanism using in vitro and in vivo model systems. We demonstrate that neuronal ApoE deficiency attenuates both α-syn uptake and release by downregulating LRP-1 and LDLR expression and enhancing chaperone-mediated autophagy activity, respectively, thereby contributing to α-syn propagation. In addition, we observed that α-syn propagation was attenuated in ApoE knockout mice injected with pre-formed mouse α-syn fibrils. This study will help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying α-syn propagation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 10902 KiB  
Article
MhcII Regulates Transmission of α-Synuclein-Seeded Pathology in Mice
by Elsa Gonzalez De La Cruz, Quan Vo, Katie Moon, Karen N. McFarland, Mary Weinrich, Tristan Williams, Benoit I. Giasson and Paramita Chakrabarty
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(15), 8175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158175 - 25 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1924
Abstract
MHCII molecules, expressed by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as T cells and B cells, are hypothesized to play a key role in the response of cellular immunity to α-synuclein (α-syn). However, the role of cellular immunity in the neuroanatomic transmission of α-syn [...] Read more.
MHCII molecules, expressed by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as T cells and B cells, are hypothesized to play a key role in the response of cellular immunity to α-synuclein (α-syn). However, the role of cellular immunity in the neuroanatomic transmission of α-syn pre-formed fibrillar (PFF) seeds is undetermined. To illuminate whether cellular immunity influences the transmission of α-syn seeds from the periphery into the CNS, we injected preformed α-syn PFFs in the hindlimb of the Line M83 transgenic mouse model of synucleinopathy lacking MhcII. We showed that a complete deficiency in MhcII accelerated the appearance of seeded α-syn pathology and shortened the lifespan of the PFF-seeded M83 mice. To characterize whether B-cell and T-cell inherent MhcII function underlies this accelerated response to PFF seeding, we next injected α-syn PFFs in Rag1−/− mice which completely lacked these mature lymphocytes. There was no alteration in the lifespan or burden of endstage α-syn pathology in the PFF-seeded, Rag1-deficient M83+/− mice. Together, these results suggested that MhcII function on immune cells other than these classical APCs is potentially involved in the propagation of α-syn in this model of experimental synucleinopathy. We focused on microglia next, finding that while microglial burden was significantly upregulated in PFF-seeded, MhcII-deficient mice relative to controls, the microglial activation marker Cd68 was reduced in these mice, suggesting that these microglia were not responsive. Additional analysis of the CNS showed the early appearance of the neurotoxic astrocyte A1 signature and the induction of the Ifnγ-inducible anti-viral response mediated by MhcI in the MhcII-deficient, PFF-seeded mice. Overall, our data suggest that the loss of MhcII function leads to a dysfunctional response in non-classical APCs and that this response could potentially play a role in determining PFF-induced pathology. Collectively, our results identify the critical role of MhcII function in synucleinopathies induced by α-syn prion seeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2885 KiB  
Article
Synuclein Analysis in Adult Xenopus laevis
by Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Elisa Angiulli, Arianna Casini, Rosa Vaccaro, Carla Cioni and Mattia Toni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(11), 6058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23116058 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1759
Abstract
The α-, β- and γ-synucleins are small soluble proteins expressed in the nervous system of mammals and evolutionary conserved in vertebrates. After being discovered in the cartilaginous fish Torpedo californica, synucleins have been sequenced in all vertebrates, showing differences in the number [...] Read more.
The α-, β- and γ-synucleins are small soluble proteins expressed in the nervous system of mammals and evolutionary conserved in vertebrates. After being discovered in the cartilaginous fish Torpedo californica, synucleins have been sequenced in all vertebrates, showing differences in the number of genes and splicing isoforms in different taxa. Although α-, β- and γ-synucleins share high homology in the N-terminal sequence, suggesting their evolution from a common ancestor, the three isoforms also differ in molecular characteristics, expression levels and tissue distribution. Moreover, their functions have yet to be fully understood. Great scientific interest on synucleins mainly derives from the involvement of α-synuclein in human neurodegenerative diseases, collectively named synucleinopathies, which involve the accumulation of amyloidogenic α-synuclein inclusions in neurons and glia cells. Studies on synucleinopathies can take advantage of the development of new vertebrate models other than mammals. Moreover, synuclein expression in non-mammalian vertebrates contribute to clarify the physiological role of these proteins in the evolutionary perspective. In this paper, gene expression levels of α-, β- and γ-synucleins have been analysed in the main organs of adult Xenopus laevis by qRT-PCR. Moreover, recombinant α-, β- and γ-synucleins were produced to test the specificity of commercial antibodies against α-synuclein used in Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Finally, the secondary structure of Xenopus synucleins was evaluated by circular dichroism analysis. Results indicate Xenopus as a good model for studying synucleinopathies, and provide a useful background for future studies on synuclein functions and their evolution in vertebrates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

13 pages, 1055 KiB  
Review
Revisiting Alpha-Synuclein Pathways to Inflammation
by Patrícia Lyra, Vanessa Machado, Silvia Rota, Kallol Ray Chaudhuri, João Botelho and José João Mendes
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(8), 7137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24087137 - 12 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1867
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a short presynaptic protein with an active role on synaptic vesicle traffic and the neurotransmitter release and reuptake cycle. The α-Syn pathology intertwines with the formation of Lewy Bodies (multiprotein intraneuronal aggregations), which, combined with inflammatory events, define various α-synucleinopathies, [...] Read more.
Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is a short presynaptic protein with an active role on synaptic vesicle traffic and the neurotransmitter release and reuptake cycle. The α-Syn pathology intertwines with the formation of Lewy Bodies (multiprotein intraneuronal aggregations), which, combined with inflammatory events, define various α-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on α-Syn mechanistic pathways to inflammation, as well as the eventual role of microbial dysbiosis on α-Syn. Furthermore, we explore the possible influence of inflammatory mitigation on α-Syn. In conclusion, and given the rising burden of neurodegenerative disorders, it is pressing to clarify the pathophysiological processes underlying α-synucleinopathies, in order to consider the mitigation of existing low-grade chronic inflammatory states as a potential pathway toward the management and prevention of such conditions, with the aim of starting to search for concrete clinical recommendations in this particular population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 1281 KiB  
Review
Alpha Synuclein: Neurodegeneration and Inflammation
by Gianluigi Forloni
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065914 - 21 Mar 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5860
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) is one of the most important molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, synucleinopathies, but also in several other neurodegenerative disorders with a more elusive role. This review analyzes the activities of α-Syn, in different conformational states, [...] Read more.
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) is one of the most important molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, synucleinopathies, but also in several other neurodegenerative disorders with a more elusive role. This review analyzes the activities of α-Syn, in different conformational states, monomeric, oligomeric and fibrils, in relation to neuronal dysfunction. The neuronal damage induced by α-Syn in various conformers will be analyzed in relation to its capacity to spread the intracellular aggregation seeds with a prion-like mechanism. In view of the prominent role of inflammation in virtually all neurodegenerative disorders, the activity of α-Syn will also be illustrated considering its influence on glial reactivity. We and others have described the interaction between general inflammation and cerebral dysfunctional activity of α-Syn. Differences in microglia and astrocyte activation have also been observed when in vivo the presence of α-Syn oligomers has been combined with a lasting peripheral inflammatory effect. The reactivity of microglia was amplified, while astrocytes were damaged by the double stimulus, opening new perspectives for the control of inflammation in synucleinopathies. Starting from our studies in experimental models, we extended the perspective to find useful pointers to orient future research and potential therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

11 pages, 1434 KiB  
Brief Report
Immunogenicity of MultiTEP-Platform-Based Recombinant Protein Vaccine, PV-1950R, Targeting Three B-Cell Antigenic Determinants of Pathological α-Synuclein
by Karen Zagorski, Gor Chailyan, Armine Hovakimyan, Tatevik Antonyan, Sepideh Kiani Shabestari, Irina Petrushina, Hayk Davtyan, David H. Cribbs, Mathew Blurton-Jones, Eliezer Masliah, Michael G. Agadjanyan and Anahit Ghochikyan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(11), 6080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23116080 - 29 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by the aberrant accumulation of intracytoplasmic misfolded and aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn), resulting in neurodegeneration associated with inflammation. The propagation of α-Syn aggregates from cell to cell is implicated in the spreading of [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by the aberrant accumulation of intracytoplasmic misfolded and aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn), resulting in neurodegeneration associated with inflammation. The propagation of α-Syn aggregates from cell to cell is implicated in the spreading of pathological α-Syn in the brain and disease progression. We and others demonstrated that antibodies generated after active and passive vaccinations could inhibit the propagation of pathological α-Syn in the extracellular space and prevent/inhibit disease/s in the relevant animal models. We recently tested the immunogenicity and efficacy of four DNA vaccines on the basis of the universal MultiTEP platform technology in the DLB/PD mouse model. The antibodies generated by these vaccines efficiently reduced/inhibited the accumulation of pathological α-Syn in the different brain regions and improved the motor deficit of immunized female mice. The most immunogenic and preclinically effective vaccine, PV-1950D, targeting three B-cell epitopes of pathological α-Syn simultaneously, has been selected for future IND-enabling studies. However, to ensure therapeutically potent concentrations of α-Syn antibodies in the periphery of the vaccinated elderly, we developed a recombinant protein-based MultiTEP vaccine, PV-1950R/A, and tested its immunogenicity in young and aged D-line mice. Antibody responses induced by immunizations with the PV-1950R/A vaccine and its homologous DNA counterpart, PV-1950D, in a mouse model of PD/DLB have been compared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurobiology of Protein Synuclein)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop