Interaction of Synuclein and Inflammation in Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of the dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of the brain. How the inflammatory response in PD is initiated is unknown. Since synuclein is expressed within the DA neuron, it is possible that synuclein may play a role in the initiation of the inflammatory response. To test this possibility, we injected WT alpha-synuclein into the SNpc of rats and sacrificed these animals at 2 days (2D), 4D and 7D after injection. At 2D after injection, using MAC-1 immunostaining for microglia, a full-blown inflammatory response was noted in the synuclein-injected SNpc compared to the saline-injected SNpc. This response was still strong at the 7D timepoint. There was also a mild astrocyte response on glial fibrillary acidic protein )GFAP) immunostaining Also noted was a small but non-significant decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase positive neuron numbers in the synuclein-injected rats. These data demonstrate a synuclein-initiated neuroinflammation in an in vivo setting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA506349
Entities
People
- Serge Przedborski
Organizations
- Columbia University