Animal models for familial Parkinson's disease]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder among elderly people. 5-10% of PD cases are familial and presumably hereditary forms. Based on the genes responsible for familial PD, genetic PD animal models were produced and provided invaluable information as to the pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. Missense mutations or gene multiplications of alpha-synuclein lead to autosomal dominant form of familial PD termed PARK1 or PARK4, respectively. Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing mutant of wild-type alpha-synuclein replicated main clinical features of PD including Lewy body-like aggregate formation. Inactivation of Parkin E3 enzyme leads to autosomal recessive form of PD without Lewy body formation. We have identified Pael-R as a substrate of Parkin. Accumulation of Pael-R induced by Parkin deletion evokes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in cell death in cultured cells, Pael-R Tg Drosophila and Parkin-knockout crossed with Pael-R Tg mice. Recently Parkin-deficient and PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)-deficient flies showed almost identical phenotype: muscle and sperm degeneration accompanied by mitochondrial abnormalities. PINK1 is the gene for PARK6, an autosomal recessive PD. Interestingly, overexpression of Parkin rescued the phenotype of PINK1-deleted fly and Parkin/PINK1 double knockout Drosophila did not aggravated the phenotype of either Parkin or PINK1 single knockouts, indicating that Parkin and PINK1 are located in the common signaling pathway, in which Parkin works downstream of PINK1. Further studies on familial PD animal models will elucidate the roles and relationships of ubiquitin-proteasome system, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in the pathogenesis of PD.     

Microglial activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by the priming signals derived from macrophages infected with mycobacteria

The inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that orchestrates the activation of proinflammatory caspases and interleukin (IL)‐1β, which is generally increased in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with tuberculous meningitis. However, it has not been clarified whether mycobacteria can activate the inflammasome and induce IL‐1β maturation in microglia. In this study, we found that the priming of primary murine microglial cells with conditioned media from cultures of macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) led to robust activation of caspase‐1 and IL‐1β secretion after Mtb stimulation. Potassium efflux and the lysosomal proteases cathepsin B and cathepsin L were required for the Mtb‐induced caspase‐1 activation and maturation of IL‐1β production in primed microglia. Mtb‐induced IL‐1β maturation was also found to depend on the nucleotide binding and oligomerization of domain‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 protein (NLRP3) and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), as well as the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Notably, the priming of microglia with tumor necrosis factor‐α or oncostatin M resulted in caspase‐1 cleavage and IL‐1β secretion in response to Mtb. Moreover, dexamethasone, as an adjunctive therapy for patients of tuberculous meningitis, significantly reduced the Mtb‐induced maturation of IL‐1β through inhibition of mitochondrial ROS generation. Collectively, these data suggest that Mtb stimulation induces activation of the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome (composed of NLRP3, ASC, and cysteine protease caspase‐1) through microglia–leukocyte interactions as a priming signal, and that dexamethasone decreases inflammasome activation through inhibition of ROS of mitochondrial origin. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

PARK13 regulates PINK1 and subcellular relocation patterns under oxidative stress in neurons

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder coupled to selective degeneration of dopamine‐producing neurons in the substantia nigra. The majority of PD incidents are sporadic, but monogenic cases account for 5–10% of cases. Mutations in PINK1 cause autosomal recessive forms of early‐onset PD, and PINK1 stimulates Omi/HtrA2/PARK13 protease activity when both proteins act as neuroprotective components in the same stress pathway. Studies on PINK1 and PARK13 have concentrated on phosphorylation‐dependent PINK1‐mediated activation of PARK13 and mitochondrial functions, because both proteins are classically viewed as mitochondrial. Although PARK13‐mediated protective mechanisms are at least in part regulated by PINK1, little is known concerning how these two proteins are regulated in different subcellular compartments or, indeed, the influence of PARK13 on PINK1 characteristics. We show that PARK13 localizes to a variety of subcellular locations in neuronal cells and that PINK1, although more restrictive, also localizes to locations other than those previously reported. We demonstrate that PARK13 accumulation leads to a concomitant accumulation of PINK1 and that the increase in PINK1 levels is compartmental specific, indicating a correlative relationship between the two proteins. Moreover, we show that PARK13 and PINK1 protein levels accumulate in response to H₂O₂ and L‐DOPA treatments in a subcellular fashion and that both proteins show relocation to the cytoskeleton in response to H₂O₂. This H₂O₂‐mediated relocation is abolished by PARK13 overexpression. This study shows that PARK13 and PINK1 are subcellular‐specific, but dynamic, proteins with a reciprocal molecular relationship providing new insight into the complexity of PD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Role of mitophagy in hereditary Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The majority of PD cases are sporadic; however, the discovery of genes linked to rare familial forms of the disease has provided crucial insight into the molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. PINK1 and PARKIN are causal genes for hereditary (i. e., autosomal recessive) early-onset PD. In 2010, intense efforts by our laboratory and several other groups have revealed the mechanism by which PINK1 and Parkin maintain mitochondrial integrity. The essence of the model is that PINK1 is rapidly and constitutively degraded under steady-state conditions in a mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm)-dependent manner and that a loss in ΔΨm stabilizes PINK1 on damaged mitochondria, and then recruits Parkin from the cytosol to the mitochondria for proteasomal and autophagic degradation. Recently, a pharmacological approach using various chemical reagents such as valinomycin, nigericin, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and oligomycin demonstrated that Parkin recruitment is voltage-dependent and independent of changes in ATP or pH. Moreover, F1-ATPase inhibitor azide recruited Parkin to the mitochondria only in ρ⁰ cells, which lack mtDNA and a functional electron transport chain. These results confirm that ΔΨm is the most important factor for the discrimination of damaged mitochondria from their healthy counterparts. Here we provide an overview of how PINK1 and Parkin identify, label and clear damaged/depolarized mitochondria, focusing on the role of mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy).     

PINK1 enhances insulin-like growth factor-1-dependent Akt signaling and protection against apoptosis

Mutations in the PARK6 gene coding for PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) cause recessive early-onset Parkinsonism. Although PINK1 and Parkin promote the degradation of depolarized mitochondria in cultured cells, little is known about changes in signaling pathways that may additionally contribute to dopamine neuron loss in recessive Parkinsonism. Accumulating evidence implicates impaired Akt cell survival signaling in sporadic and familial PD (PD). IGF-1/Akt signaling inhibits dopamine neuron loss in several animal models of PD and both IGF-1 and insulin are neuroprotective in various settings. Here, we tested whether PINK1 is required for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin dependent phosphorylation of Akt and the regulation of downstream Akt target proteins. Our results show that embryonic fibroblasts from PINK1-deficient mice display significantly reduced Akt phosphorylation in response to both IGF-1 and insulin. Moreover, phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and nuclear exclusion of FoxO1 are decreased in IGF-1 treated PINK1-deficient cells. In addition, phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 is reduced indicating decreased activity of mitochondrial target of rapamycin (mTOR) in IGF-1 treated PINK1^−/− cells. Importantly, the protection afforded by IGF-1 against staurosporine-induced metabolic dysfunction and apoptosis is abrogated in PINK1-deficient cells. Moreover, IGF-1-induced Akt phosphorylation is impaired in primary cortical neurons from PINK1-deficient mice. Inhibition of cellular Ser/Thr phosphatases did not increase the amount of phosphorylated Akt in PINK1^−/− cells, suggesting that components upstream of Akt phosphorylation are compromised in PINK1-deficient cells. Our studies show that PINK1 is required for optimal IGF-1 and insulin dependent Akt signal transduction, and raise the possibility that impaired IGF-1/Akt signaling is involved in PINK1-related Parkinsonism by increasing the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons to stress-induced cell death.     

Inflammasome activation restricts Legionella pneumophila replication in primary microglial cells through flagellin detection

Microglial cells constitute the first line of defense of the central nervous system (CNS) against microbial invasion. Pathogens are detected thanks to an array of innate immune receptors termed pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). PRRs have been thoroughly characterized in bone marrow‐derived macrophages, but the PRRs repertoire and functionality in microglial cells remain largely unknown. Microglial cells express various Toll‐like Receptors and the Nod1/2 receptors. Recently, a novel innate immune signalling pathway, the inflammasome pathway has been uncovered. Inflammasome activation leads to caspase‐1 activation, release of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β and IL‐18 and cell death in a process termed pyroptosis. One inflammasome receptor, NLRP3, has been characterized in microglial cells and associated with response to infections and in the initiation of neuro‐degeneration in an Alzheimer's disease model. Legionella pneumophila (L.pneumophila) is a flagellated bacterium replicating within macrophages. In bone marrow‐derived macrophages, L. pneumophila is detected in a flagellin‐dependent manner by the Naip5‐NLRC4 (Ipaf) inflammasome pathway. In this study, we decided to use L. pneumophila to investigate the presence and the functionality of this inflammasome in primary murine microglial cells. We show that microglial cells detect L. pneumophila infection in a flagellin‐dependent manner leading to caspase‐1‐mediated bacterial growth restriction, infected cell death and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL18. Overall, our data demonstrate that microglial cells have a functional Naip5‐NLRC4 inflammasome likely to be important to monitor and clear CNS infections by flagellated bacteria. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mitochondrial membrane potential decrease caused by loss of PINK1 is not due to proton leak,but to respiratory chain defects

Mutations in PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) cause a recessive form of Parkinson's disease (PD). PINK1 is associated with mitochondrial quality control and its partial knock-down induces mitochondrial dysfunction including decreased membrane potential and increased vulnerability against mitochondrial toxins, but the exact function of PINK1 in mitochondria has not been investigated using cells with null expression of PINK1. Here, we show that loss of PINK1 caused mitochondrial dysfunction. In PINK1-deficient (PINK1^?/?) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP levels were decreased compared with those in littermate wild-type MEFs. However, mitochondrial proton leak, which reduces membrane potential in the absence of ATP synthesis, was not altered by loss of PINK1. Instead, activity of the respiratory chain, which produces the membrane potential by oxidizing substrates using oxygen, declined. H₂O₂ production rate by PINK1^?/? mitochondria was lower than PINK1^+/+ mitochondria as a consequence of decreased oxygen consumption rate, while the proportion (H₂O₂ production rate per oxygen consumption rate) was higher. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunctions in PD pathogenesis are caused not by proton leak, but by respiratory chain defects.     

Inhibition of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter rescues dopaminergic neurons in pink1−/− zebrafish

Mutations in PTEN‐induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) are a cause of early onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Loss of PINK1 function causes dysregulation of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death. We report that both genetic and pharmacological inactivation of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, prevents dopaminergic neuronal cell loss in pink1^Y431* mutant zebrafish (Danio rerio) via rescue of mitochondrial respiratory chain function. In contrast, genetic inactivation of the voltage dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), located in the outer mitochondrial membrane, did not rescue dopaminergic neurons in PINK1 deficient D. rerio. Subsequent gene expression studies revealed specific upregulation of the mcu regulator micu1 in pink1^Y431* mutant zebrafish larvae and inactivation of micu1 also results in rescue of dopaminergic neurons. The functional consequences of PINK1 deficiency and modified MCU activity were confirmed using a dynamic in silico model of Ca²⁺ triggered mitochondrial activity. Our data suggest modulation of MCU‐mediated mitochondrial calcium homeostasis as a possible neuroprotective strategy in PINK1 mutant PD.     

Parkinson patient fibroblasts show increased alpha-synuclein expression

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder of advanced age with largely unknown etiology, but well documented tissue damage from oxidative stress. Increased α-synuclein (SNCA) expression is known to cause a rare form of PD, early-onset autosomal dominant PARK4. We have previously shown that loss-of-function mutations of the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 which cause the early-onset recessive PARK6 variant result in oxidative damage in patient fibroblasts. We now investigated the molecular chain of events from mitochondrial dysfunction to cell death which is largely unknown. Primary skin fibroblast cultures from patients were analysed for gene expression anomalies. In G309D-PINK1 patient fibroblasts, mainly genes regulated by oxidative stress, as well as genes encoding synaptic proteins such as SNCA showed altered expression. The induction of SNCA was also observed in control fibroblasts with knock-down of PINK1. The induction of SNCA expression was found to constitute a specific disease biomarker in sporadic PD patient fibroblasts. To understand the mechanism of this induction, we exposed control fibroblasts to oxidative, proteasomal and endoplasmic reticulum stress and were able to trigger the SNCA expression upregulation. Our data indicate that loss-of-function of PINK1 leads to enhanced alpha-synuclein expression and altered cell–cell contact. Alpha-synuclein induction might represent a common event for different variants of PD as well as a PD-specific trigger of neurodegeneration. We propose that the expression changes described might potentially serve as biomarkers that allow objective PD patient diagnosis in an accessible, peripheral tissue.     

Andrographolide suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia through induction of parkin-mediated mitophagy in in-vitro and in-vivo models of Parkinson disease

Cellular communication linking microglia activation and dopaminergic neuronal loss play an imperative role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, underlying molecular mechanisms are not precise and require further elucidation. NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation is extensively studied in context to microglial activation and progressive dopaminergic neuronal loss in PD. Several pathophysiological factors such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction impaired mitophagy plays a crucial role in activating NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Hence, regulation of microglial activation through mitophagy could be a valuable strategy in controlling microglia mediated neurodegeneration. In this study we have developed a model of inflammasome activation by combining LPS with a mitochondrial complex-I inhibitor MPP⁺. The idea of using MPP⁺ after priming mouse microglia with LPS was to disrupt mitochondria and release reactive oxygen species, which act as Signal 2 in augmenting NLRP3 assembly, thereby releasing potent inflammatory mediators such as active interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-18. LPS-MPP⁺ combination was seen to impaired the mitophagy by inhibiting the initial step of autophagosome formation as evidenced by protein expression and confocal imaging data. Treatment with Andrographolide promoted the parkin-dependent autophagic flux formation in microglia; resulting in the removal of defective mitochondria which in turn inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Additionally, the neuroprotective role of Andrographolide in inhibiting NLRP3 activation together with salvage ATP level via promoting parkin-dependent mitophagy was seen in the substantial nigra par compacta (SNpc) region of mice brain. Furthermore, Andrographolide rescued the dopaminergic neuron loss and improved the behavioural parameters in animal model. Collectively, our results reveal the role of mitophagy in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by removing defective mitochondria. In addition, andrographolide was seen to abate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia and rescue dopaminergic neuron loss.     

Myocardial 123metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake in genetic Parkinson's disease

Myocardial ¹²³Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) enables the assessment of postganglionic sympathetic cardiac innervation. MIBG uptake is decreased in nearly all patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Our objective was to evaluate MIBG uptake in patients with genetic PD. We investigated MIBG uptake in 14 patients with PD associated with mutations in different genes (Parkin, DJ‐1, PINK1, and leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 ‐LRRK2), in 15 patients with idiopathic PD, and 10 control subjects. The myocardial MIGB uptake was preserved in 3 of the 4 Parkin‐associated Parkinsonisms, in 1 of the 2 patients with DJ‐1 mutations, in 1 of the 2 brothers with PINK1 mutations, in 3 of the 6 unrelated patients with Gly2019Ser mutation in the LRRK2 gene, whereas it was impaired in all patients with idiopathic PD. MIBG was preserved in all control subjects. Our study shows that myocardial MIGB uptake was normal in 8 of 14 patients with genetic PD, suggesting that cardiac sympathetic denervation occurs less frequently in genetic PD than in idiopathic PD. Our findings also demonstrate that MIGB uptake has a heterogeneous pattern in genetic PD, because it was differently impaired in patients with different mutations in the same gene or with the same gene mutation. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society     

Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of natural cordycepin in rotenone-induced PD models through inhibiting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission

Accumulating evidences suggest that inflammation-mediated neurons dysfunction participates in the initial and development of Parkinson’s disease (PD), whereas mitochondria have been recently recognized as crucial regulators in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Cordycepin, a major component of cordyceps militaris, has been shown to possess neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the effects of cordycepin in rotenone-induced PD models and the possible mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we observed that motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neurons loss induced by rotenone exposure were ameliorated by cordycepin. Cordycepin also reversed Drp1-mediated aberrant mitochondrial fragmentation through increasing AMPK phosphorylation and maintained normal mitochondrial morphology. Additionally, cordycepin effectively increased adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reduced mitochondrial ROS levels, as well as inhibited complex 1 activity. More importantly, cordycepin administration inhibited the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine in rotenone-induced rats and cultured neuronal PC12 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome within neurons could be suppressed by the mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi-1). Collectively, the present study provides evidence that cordycepin exerts neuroprotective effects partially through preventing neural NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fragmentation in rotenone-injected PD models.     

Mitochondria–Endoplasmic Reticulum Contact Sites Dynamics and Calcium Homeostasis Are Differentially Disrupted in PINK1-PD or PRKN-PD Neurons

Background

It is generally believed that the pathogenesis of PINK1/parkin-related Parkinson's disease (PD) is due to a disturbance in mitochondrial quality control. However, recent studies have found that PINK1 and Parkin play a significant role in mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and are involved in the regulation of mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites (MERCSs).

Objective

The aim of our study was to perform an in-depth analysis of the role of MERCSs and impaired calcium homeostasis in PINK1/Parkin-linked PD.

Methods

In our study, we used induced pluripotent stem cell–derived dopaminergic neurons from patients with PD with loss-of-function mutations in PINK1 or PRKN. We employed a split-GFP-based contact site sensor in combination with the calcium-sensitive dye Rhod-2 AM and applied Airyscan live-cell super-resolution microscopy to determine how MERCSs are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis.

Results

Our results showed that thapsigargin-induced calcium stress leads to an increase of the abundance of narrow MERCSs in wild-type neurons. Intriguingly, calcium levels at the MERCSs remained stable, whereas the increased net calcium influx resulted in elevated mitochondrial calcium levels. However, PINK1-PD or PRKN-PD neurons showed an increased abundance of MERCSs at baseline, accompanied by an inability to further increase MERCSs upon thapsigargin-induced calcium stress. Consequently, calcium distribution at MERCSs and within mitochondria was disrupted.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated how the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria work together to cope with calcium stress in wild-type neurons. In addition, our results suggests that PRKN deficiency affects the dynamics and composition of MERCSs differently from PINK1 deficiency, resulting in differentially affected calcium homeostasis. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.     

Molecular interaction between parkin and PINK1 in mammalian neuronal cells

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the deterioration of dopaminergic neurons in the pars compacta of substantia nigra and the formation of intraneuronal protein inclusions. The etiology of PD is not known, but the recent identification of several mutation genes in familial PD has provided a rich understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PD pathology. Mutations in PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and parkin are linked to early-onset autosomal recessive forms of familial PD. Here we show molecular and functional interactions between parkin and PINK1. Parkin selectively binds to PINK1 and upregulates PINK1 levels. In addition, PINK1 reduces the solubility of parkin, which induces the formation of microtubule-dependent cytoplasmic aggresomes. Our findings reveal that parkin and PINK1 affect each other's stability, solubility and tendency to form aggresomes, and have important implications regarding the formation of Lewy bodies.     

PINK1 phosphorylates transglutaminase 2 and blocks its proteasomal degradation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive dopaminergic neuronal loss and the formation of abnormal protein aggregates, referred to as Lewy bodies (LBs). PINK1 is a serine/threonine protein kinase that protects cells from stress‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. PINK1 gene mutations cause one form of autosomal recessive early‐onset PD. Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is an intracellular protein cross‐linking enzyme that has an important role in LB formation during PD pathogenesis. This study identifies PINK1 as a novel TG2 binding partner and shows that PINK1 stabilizes the half‐life of TG2 via inhibition of TG2 ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. PINK1 affects TG2 stability in a kinase‐dependent manner. In addition, PINK1 directly phosphorylates TG2 in carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazine‐induced mitochondrial damaged states, thereby enhancing TG2 accumulation and intracellular protein cross‐linking products. This study further confirms the functional link between upstream PINK1 and downstream TG2 in Drosophila melanogaster. These data suggest that PINK1 positively regulates TG2 activity, which may be closely associated with aggresome formation in neuronal cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mapping preclinical compensation in Parkinson's disease: An imaging genomics approach

Mutations in the Parkin (PARK2) and PINK1 gene (PARK 6) can cause recessively inherited Parkinson's disease (PD). The presence of a single Parkin or PINK1 mutation is associated with a dopaminergic nigrostriatal dysfunction and conveys an increased risk to develop PD throughout lifetime. Therefore neuroimaging of non‐manifesting individuals with a mutant Parkin or PINK1 allele opens up a window for the investigation of preclinical and very early phases of PD in vivo. Here we review how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to identify compensatory mechanisms that help to prevent development of overt disease. In two separate experiments, Parkin mutation carriers displayed stronger activation of rostral supplementary motor area (SMA) and right dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) during a simple motor sequence task and anterior cingulate motor area and left rostral PMd during internal movement selection as opposed to externally cued movements. The additional recruitment of the rostral SMA and right rostral PMd during the finger sequence task was also observed in a separate group of nonmanifesting mutation carriers with a single heterozygous PINK1 mutation. Because mutation carriers were not impaired at performing the task, the additional recruitment of motor cortical areas indicates a compensatory mechanism that effectively counteracts the nigrostriatal dysfunction. These first results warrant further studies that use these imaging genomics approach to tap into preclinical compensation of PD. Extensions of this line of research involve fMRI paradigms probing nonmotor brain functions. Additionally, the same fMRI paradigms should be applied to nonmanifesting mutation carriers in genes linked to autosomal dominant PD. This will help to determine how “generically” the human brain compensates for a preclinical dopaminergic dysfunction. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society     

Sialoadhesin promotes neuroinflammation‐related disease progression in two mouse models of CLN disease

CLN diseases are mostly fatal lysosomal storage diseases that lead to neurodegeneration in the CNS. We have previously shown that CD8+ T‐lymphocytes contribute to axonal perturbation and neuron loss in the CNS of Ppt1^?/? mice, a model of CLN1 disease. We now investigated the role of the inflammation‐related cell adhesion molecule sialoadhesin (Sn) in Ppt1^?/? and Cln3^?/? mice, a model of the most frequent form, CLN3 disease. Microglia/macrophages in the CNS of both models showed an upregulation of Sn and markers for proinflammatory M1 polarization and antigen presentation. Sn+ microglia/macrophages associated with SMI32+ axonal spheroids and CD8+ T‐lymphocytes. To analyze their pathogenic impact, we crossbred both models with Sn‐deficient mice and scored axonal degeneration and neuronal integrity using immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and optical coherence tomography. Degenerative alterations in the retinotectal pathway of Ppt1^?/?Sn^?/? and Cln3^?/?Sn^?/? mice were significantly reduced. Ppt1^?/?Sn^?/? mice also showed a substantially improved clinical phenotype and extended lifespan, attenuated numbers of M1‐polarized microglia/macrophages and reduced expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines. This was accompanied by an increased frequency of CD8+CD122+ T‐lymphocytes in the CNS of Ppt1^?/?Sn^?/? mice, the regulatory phenotype of which was demonstrated by impaired survival of CD8+CD122? effector T‐lymphocytes in co‐culture experiments. We show for the first time that increased Sn expression on microglia/macrophages contributes to neural perturbation in two distinct models of CLN disease. Our data also indicate that a rarely described CD8+CD122+ T‐cell population can regulate the corresponding diseases. These studies provide insights into CLN pathogenesis and may guide in designing immuno‐regulatory treatment strategies. GLIA 2016;64:792–809     

Ghrelin protects against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity: Involvement of mitophagy and the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α pathway

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the deposition of Lewy bodies. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and autophagy dysfunction are involved in the pathogenesis of PD. Ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide that has been reported that protected against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyran (MPTP)/MPP⁺-induced toxic effects. In the present work, human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to rotenone as a PD model to explore the underlying mechanism of ghrelin. We found that ghrelin inhibited rotenone-induced cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis by improving cell viability, increasing the ratio of red/green of JC-1, inhibiting the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS), and regulating Bcl-2, Bax, Cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression. Besides, ghrelin promoted mitophagy accompanied by up-regulating microtubule-associated protein 1 Light Chain 3B-II/I(LC3B-II/I) and Beclin1 but decreasing the expression of p62. Moreover, ghrelin promoted PINK1/Parkin mitochondrial translocation. Additionally, we investigated that ghrelin activated the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α pathway and pharmacological inhibition of AMPK and SIRT1 abolished the cytoprotection of ghrelin, decreased the level of mitophagy, and PINK1/Parkin mitochondrial translocation. Taken together, our findings suggested that mitophagy and AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α pathways were related to the cytoprotection of ghrelin. These findings provided novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of ghrelin, further mechanistic studies on preclinical and clinical levels are required to be conducted with ghrelin to avail and foresee it as a potential agent in the treatment and management of PD.