Apolipoprotein E and LRP1 Increase Early in Parkinson's Disease Pathogenesis

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by α-synuclein-containing Lewy bodies (LBs) and loss of melanized neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Recently, a link between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) expression, α-synuclein aggregation, and neurodegeneration was suggested. Here, we report on ApoE expression appearing in melanized neurons of the SN and in LBs in both PD and incidental LB disease cases. Interestingly, increased expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (the receptor for ApoE) was also observed in incidental LB disease and PD. Our data suggest that alterations in lipoprotein homeostasis/signaling in melanized neurons of the SN are an early event during PD pathogenesis.