A novel mechanism of PHB2-mediated mitophagy participating in the development of Parkinson's disease

Endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play important roles in Parkinson s disease,but the regulato ry mechanism remains elusive.Prohibitin-2(PHB2)is a newly discove red autophagy receptor in the mitochondrial inner membrane,and its role in Parkinson’s disease remains unclear.Protein kinase R(PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)is a factor that regulates cell fate during endoplasmic reticulum stress.Parkin is regulated by PERK and is a target of the unfolded protein response.It is unclear whether PERK regulates PHB2-mediated mitophagy thro ugh Parkin.In this study,we established a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.We used adeno-associated virus to knockdown PHB2 expression.Our res ults showed that loss of dopaminergic neurons and motor deficits were aggravated in the MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.Ove rexpression of PHB2 inhibited these abnormalities.We also established a 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine(MPP+)-induced SH-SY5Y cell model of Parkinson’s disease.We found that ove rexpression of Parkin increased co-localization of PHB2 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3,and promoted mitophagy.In addition,MPP+regulated Parkin involvement in PHB2-mediated mitophagy through phosphorylation of PERK.These findings suggest that PHB2 participates in the development of Parkinson’s disease by intera cting with endoplasmic reticulum stress and Parkin.

Interplay between the glymphatic system and neurotoxic proteins in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders:current knowledge and future directions

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with abnormal aggregation and accumulation of neurotoxic proteins,includingα-synuclein,amyloid-β,and tau,in addition to the impaired elimination of these neurotoxic protein.Atypical parkinsonism,which has the same clinical presentation and neuropathology as Parkinson’s disease,expands the disease landscape within the continuum of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.The glymphatic system is a waste clearance system in the brain,which is responsible for eliminating the neurotoxic proteins from the interstitial fluid.Impairment of the glymphatic system has been proposed as a significant contributor to the development and progression of neurodegenerative disease,as it exacerbates the aggregation of neurotoxic proteins and deteriorates neuronal damage.Therefore,impairment of the glymphatic system could be considered as the final common pathway to neurodegeneration.Previous evidence has provided initial insights into the potential effect of the impaired glymphatic system on Parkinson’s disease and related disorders;however,many unanswered questions remain.This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the growing literature on the glymphatic system in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.The focus of this review is on identifying the manifestations and mechanisms of interplay between the glymphatic system and neurotoxic proteins,including loss of polarization of aquaporin-4 in astrocytic endfeet,sleep and circadian rhythms,neuroinflammation,astrogliosis,and gliosis.This review further delves into the underlying pathophysiology of the glymphatic system in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders,and the potential implications of targeting the glymphatic system as a novel and promising therapeutic strategy.

The potential of bone morphogenetic protein 2 as a neurotrophic factor for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder;it affects 1%of the population over the age of 65.The number of people with Parkinson’s disease is set to rapidly increase due to changing demographics and there is an unmet clinical need for disease-modifying therapies.The pathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease are the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and their axons which project to the striatum,and the aggregation ofα-synuclein;these result in a range of debilitating motor and non-motor symptoms.The application of neurotrophic factors to protect and potentially regenerate the remaining dopaminergic neurons is a major area of research interest.However,this strategy has had limited success to date.Clinical trials of two well-known neurotrophic factors,glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurturin,have reported limited efficacy in Parkinson’s disease patients,despite these factors showing potent neurotrophic actions in animal studies.There is therefore a need to identify other neurotrophic factors that can protect againstα-synuclein-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.The bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)family is the largest subgroup of the transforming growth factor-βsuperfamily of proteins.BMPs are naturally secreted proteins that play crucial roles throughout the developing nervous system.Importantly,many BMPs have been shown to be potent neurotrophic factors for dopaminergic neurons.Here we discuss recent work showing that transcripts for the BMP receptors and BMP2 are co-expressed with several key markers of dopaminergic neurons in the human substantia nigra,and evidence for downregulation of BMP2 expression at distinct stages of Parkinson’s disease.We also discuss studies that explored the effects of BMP2 treatment,in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease.These studies found potent effects of BMP2 on dopaminergic neurites,which is important given that axon degeneration is increasingly recognized as a key early event in Parkinson’s disease.Thus,the aim of this mini-review is to give an overview of the BMP family and the BMP-Smad signalling pathway,in addition to reviewing the available evidence demonstrating the potential of BMP2 for Parkinson’s disease therapy.

Is X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 a new target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 mutations can induce symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease and dopamine metabolism disorders, but the specific role of X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease remains unknown. In the present study, we used 6-hydroxydopamine-induced human neuroblastoma cell （SH-SY5Y cells） injury as a cell model of Parkinson’s disease. The 6-hydroxydopamine （50 μmol/L） treatment decreased protein levels for both X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 and tyrosine hydroxylase in these cells, and led to cell death. However, overexpression of X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 was able to ameliorate the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine, it reduced 6-hydroxydopamine-induced apoptosis, and increased the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase in SH-SY5Y cells. These findings suggesting that X-linked methyl-CpG binding protein 2 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Differential protein expression in substantia nigra induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine in a mouse model of chronic Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND： To date, a complete protein expression profile of the midbrain substantia nigra in a mouse model of chronic Parkinson＇s disease, induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP）, does not exist. In addition, there are no reports of analysis of differential protein expression. OBJECTIVE： To separate and evaluate MPTP-induced differential protein expression through the use of proteomics in the substantia nigra of a mouse model of chronic Parkinson＇s disease. DESIGN： Randomized controlled animal study. SETTING： Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University. MATERIALS： Sixteen 8-10-week old, healthy, male, C57BL mice, weighing 20-25 g, and of clean grade, were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Chongqing Medical University. The experimental animals were disposed according to ethical criteria. MPTP was provided by Sigma Company, USA; Pdquest 2D image analysis software and gelatum/irradiance image analysis system （ChemiDoc XRS） by Bio-Rad, USA; and Voyager DE-PROMALD1-TOF-MS mass spectroscopy analyzer by AB1 Company, USA. METHODS： This study was performed in Chongqing Neurological Laboratory between November 2006 and July 2007. Mice were randomly divided into model and control groups, with 8 mice in each group. Mice in the model group were received a subcutaneous injection of MPTP （25 mg＆g）, twice a week, for five successive weeks, to establish a chronic Parkinson＇s disease model. Mice in the control group received the same volume of a subcutaneous saline injection at the same time points. Mice were sacrificed by anesthesia to rapidly obtain the midbrain for protein separation of the substantia nigra. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） 2-ED handbook （Bio-Rad Company） was referenced for two-dimensional electrophoresis, （2） PDQUEST8,0 analytical electrophoresis pattern was adopted to evaluate differential protein expression. （3） Peptide mass finger print map and data were retrieved on http：//www.prospector.ucsf.edu to compare differential substantia nigral protein expression in the two groups. RESULTS： Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of substantia nigra tissue indicated that there were 33 differential protein expressions between the two groups. Three new proteins were evaluated, including α -enolase, which exhibited regulated expression, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B. CONCLUSION： There are three proteins that exhibit differential expression in the substantia nigra- α -enolase, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B.

Roles of neuronal lysosomes in the etiology of Parkinson’s disease

Therapeutic progress in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease has been hampered by a lack of detailed knowledge of its molecular etiology.The advancements in genetics and genomics have provided fundamental insights into specific protein players and the cellular processes involved in the onset of disease.In this respect,the autophagy-lysosome system has emerged in recent years as a strong point of convergence for genetics,genomics,and pathologic indications,spanning both familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.Most,if not all,genes linked to familial disease are involved,in a regulatory capacity,in lysosome function(e.g.,LRRK2,alpha-synuclein,VPS35,Parkin,and PINK1).Moreover,the majority of genomic loci associated with increased risk of idiopathic Parkinson’s cluster in lysosome biology and regulation(GBA as the prime example).Lastly,neuropathologic evidence showed alterations in lysosome markers in autoptic material that,coupled to the alpha-synuclein proteinopathy that defines the disease,strongly indicate an alteration in functionality.In this Brief Review article,I present a personal perspective on the molecular and cellular involvement of lysosome biology in Parkinson’s pathogenesis,aiming at a larger vision on the events underlying the onset of the disease.The attempts at targeting autophagy for therapeutic purposes in Parkinson’s have been mostly aimed at“indiscriminately”enhancing its activity to promote the degradation and elimination of aggregate protein accumulations,such as alpha-synuclein Lewy bodies.However,this approach is based on the assumption that protein pathology is the root cause of disease,while pre-pathology and pre-degeneration dysfunctions have been largely observed in clinical and pre-clinical settings.In addition,it has been reported that unspecific boosting of autophagy can be detrimental.Thus,it is important to understand the mechanisms of specific autophagy forms and,even more,the adjustment of specific lysosome functionalities.Indeed,lysosomes exert fine signaling capacities in addition to their catabolic roles and might participate in the regulation of neuronal and glial cell functions.Here,I discuss hypotheses on these possible mechanisms,their links with etiologic and risk factors for Parkinson’s disease,and how they could be targeted for disease-modifying purposes.

Lack of Evidence for Decreased Protein Stability in the 2397 (Met) Haplotype of the Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Protein Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease

Missense mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the leading genetic cause of autosomal dominant familial Parkinson’s disease. We previously reported that two mutations within the ROC domain, namely R1441C and A1442P, exhibit increased protein degradation leading to lowered steady state LRRK2 protein levels in HEK293 cells. More recently, the common WD40 domain LRRK2 haplotype, Met2397, which is a risk factor for Crohn’s disease, has been shown to lower steady state protein levels in HEK293 cells. In view of recent evidence implicating LRRK2 and inflamemation in PD, we investigated the effects of Met2397 on LRRK2 expression, and compared them to the Thr2397 variant and other LRRK2 mutants. In this study, we transfected HEK293 cells with plasmid constructs encoding the different LRRK2 variants, and analyzed the resulting protein levels by Western blot and flow cytometry. Here we found that both the Met2397 and Thr2397 haplotypes yield similar levels of LRRK2 protein expression and do not appear to impact cell viability in HEK293 cells, compared to other LRRK mutants. Thus, we have concluded that the Met2397 haplotype is unlikely to play a role in LRRK2 mediated or idiopathic PD.

X-box-binding protein 1-modified neural stem cells for treatment of Parkinson's disease

X-box-binding protein 1-transfected neural stem cells were transplanted into the right lateral ventricles of rats with rotenone-induced Parkinson＇s disease. The survival capacities and differentiation rates of cells expressing the dopaminergic marker tyrosine hydroxylase were higher in X-box-binding protein 1-transfected neural stem cells compared to non-transfected cells. Moreover, dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the substantia nigra were significantly increased, α-synuclein expression was decreased, and neurological behaviors were significantly ameliorated in rats following transplantation of X-box-binding protein 1-transfected neural stem cells. These results indicate that transplantation of X-box-binding protein 1-transfected neural stem cells can promote stem cell survival and differentiation into dopaminergic neurons, increase dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels, reduce α-synuclein aggregation in the substantia nigra, and improve the symptoms of Parkinson＇s disease in rats.

Monoamine alterations and rotational asymmetry in a rat model of Parkinson's disease following lateral ventricle transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells

BACKGROUND： Human amniotic epithelial cells （HAECs） can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. They biologically secrete many active neurotrophins and have the capacity to metabolize dopamine enzymes. These features underlie a theoretical basis for the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease （PD）. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the survival and differentiation of transplanted HAECs in the lateral ventricle of PD model rats, and to explore its effect on circling behavior, as well as levels of dopamine （DA）, the metabolite homovanillic acid, dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the striatum. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal study was performed at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Shanghai Celstar Institute of Biotechnology from May 2007 to December 2008. MATERIALS： HAECs were derived from the placental chorion following caesarean delivery at the Shanghai International Matemal and Child Health Hospital. 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA）, and mouse anti-human Vimentin monoclonal antibody were purchased from Sigma, USA; mouse anti-human nestin and tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） monoclonal antibodies were purchased from Chemicon, USA. METHODS： A total of 114 healthy, adult, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups： PD model [n = 90, stereotactic microinjection of 2 μL 6-OHDA （3.5 μg/uL） into the striatum] and control （n = 24, no treatment）. The 51 successful PD model rats were randomly divided into 3 subgroups （n = 17）： HAEC, PBS, and model. The HAEC and PBS groups were respectively injected with 10 μL PBS solution containing 1 × 10^5/mL HAECs or 10 pL PBS into the lateral ventricle. The model group was not treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： TH protein expression in the striatum was evaluated by immunohistochemistry 5 weeks after HAEC transplantation. At 10 weeks, HAEC survival in the lateral ventricle was investigated by immunofluorescent staining; differentiation of HAECs in the lateral and third ventricles was examined by TH immunohistochemistry; concentrations of DA, homovanillic acid, dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the striatum, as well as DA concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid, were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection. Circling behavior of PD model rats was consecutively observed for 10 weeks following intraperitoneal injection of amphetamine 1 week after successful model establishment. RESULTS： tn the HAEC group, the number of TH-positive cells significantly increased in the striatum, and circling behavior significantly decreased, compared with the PBS and model groups （P 〈 0.01）. In addition, monoamine concentrations in the striatum, as well as DA concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid, significantly increased, compared with the PBS group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. Moreover, a large number of nestin-, vimentin-, and TH-positive cells were observed in the lateral and third ventricles following HAEC injection.CONCLUSION： HAECs survived for 10 weeks with no overgrowth following transplantation into the lateral ventricle of PD model rats. Moreover, the cells differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, which increased DA secretion. HAEC transplantation improved cycling behavior in PD model rats.

Are human dental papilla-derived stem cell and human brain-derived neural stem cell transplantations suitable for treatment of Parkinson’s disease?

Transplantation of neural stem cells has been reported as a possible approach for replacing impaired dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we tested the efficacy of early-stage human dental papilla-derived stem cells and human brain-derived neural stem cells in rat models of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson＇s disease. Rats received a unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into right medial forebrain bundle, followed 3 weeks later by injections of PBS, early-stage human dental papilla-derived stem cells, or human brain-derived neural stem cells into the ipsilateral striatum. All of the rats in the human dental papilla-derived stem cell group died from tumor formation at around 2 weeks following cell transplantation. Postmortem examinations revealed homogeneous malignant tumors in the striatum of the human dental papilla-derived stem cell group. Stepping tests revealed that human brain-derived neural stem cell transplantation did not improve motor dysfunction. In apomorphine-induced rotation tests, neither the human brain-derived neural stem cell group nor the control groups （PBS injection） demonstrated significant changes. Glucose metabolism in the lesioned side of striatum was reduced by human brain-derived neural stem cell transplantation. [18F]-FP-CIT PET scans in the striatum did not demonstrate a significant increase in the human brain-derived neural stem cell group. Tyrosine hydroxylase （dopaminergic neuronal marker） staining and G protein-activated inward rectifier potassium channel 2 （A9 dopaminergic neuronal marker） were positive in the lesioned side of striatum in the human brain-derived neural stem cell group. The use of early-stage human dental papilla-derived stern cells confirmed its tendency to form tumors. Human brain-derived neural stem cells could be partially differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, but they did not secrete dopamine.

Correlation between LRRK2 gene polymorphism sites S1647T and R1398H and Parkinson’s disease in a Chinese Han population

A recent multicenter study demonstrated that two variants of LRRK2, S1647T and R1398H, are associated with sporadic Parkinson＇s disease. The present study analyzed LRRK2 gene polymorphisms of S1647T and R1398H, demonstrating that the LRRK2 gene polymorphism S1647T variant is a risk factor for Parkinson＇s disease in a Chinese Han population. However, the R1398H variant did not influence the risk for Parkinson＇s disease. In addition, there was no difference in clinical symptoms of Parkinson＇s disease patients with various genotypes. Results showed that the LRRK2 S1647T variant was associated with an increased risk for developing early-onset Parkinson＇s disease in a Chinese Hart population. In addition, there was no correlation between LRRK2 S1647T, R1398H variants and G2385R, R1628P variants in Parkinson＇s disease patients.

Natural polyphenols effects on protein aggregates in Alzheimer＇s and Parkinson＇s prion-like diseases

Alzheimer＇s and Parkinson＇s diseases are the most common neurodegenerative diseases. They are characterized by protein aggregates and so can be considered as prion-like disease. The major components of these deposits are amyloid peptide and tau for Alzheimer＇s disease, α-synuclein and synphilin-1 for Parkinson＇s disease. Drugs currently proposed to treat these pathologies do not prevent neurodegenerative processes and are mainly symptomatic therapies. Molecules inducing inhibition of aggregation or disaggregation of these proteins could have beneficial effects, especially if they have other beneficial effects for these diseases. Thus, several natural polyphenols, which have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, have been largely studied, for their effects on protein aggregates found in these diseases, notably in vitro. In this article, we propose to review the significant papers concerning the role of polyphenols on aggregation and disaggregation of amyloid peptide, tau, α-synuclein, synphilin-1, suggesting that these compounds could be useful in the treatments in Alzheimer＇s and Parkinson＇s diseases.

Total saponins of Panax ginseng effects on proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic neural stem cells and in a Parkinson's disease mouse model

BACKGROUND： Total saponins of Panax ginseng （TSPG） exhibits neuroprotection against Parkinson＇s disease in the substantia nigra. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of TSPG on human embryonic neural stem cells （NSCs） proliferation and differentiation into dopaminergic neurons using in vitro studies, and to observe NSC differentiation in a mouse model of Parkinson＇s disease, as well as behavioral changes before and after transplantation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： In vitro neural cell biology trial and in vivo randomized, controlled animal trial were performed at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University between September 2004 and December 2007. MATERIALS： TSPG （purity 〉 95%） was isolated, extracted, and identified by Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica. Recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor （bFGF） and recombinant human epidermal growth factor （EGF） were purchased from PeproTech, USA. A total of 25 C57/BL6J mice, aged 18-20 weeks were included. Twenty were used to establish a Parkinson＇s disease model with i.p. injection of MPTP （1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine） and TSPG alone or combined with interleukin-1 （IL-1）-treated NSCs prior to transplantation into the corpus striatum. The remaining five mice were pretreated for 3 days with TSPG prior to MPTP injection, serving as the TSPG prevention group. METHODS： Primary NSCs were isolated, cultured and purified from embryonic cerebral cortex. Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect specific antigen expression in the NSCs. In vitro experiment： （1） to induce proliferation, NSCs were treated with TSPG, EGF＋bFGF, or TSPG＋EGF＋bFGF, respectively; （2） to induce dopaminergic neuronal differentiation, NSCs were treated with TSPG, IL-1, or TSPG＋IL-1, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： In vitro experiment： the effects of TSPG on NSCs proliferation were evaluated with flow cytometry and MTT assay. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was determined by immunocytochemistry assay to observe effects of TSPG on dopaminergic neuronal differentiation. In vivo experiment： differentiation of grafted NSCs in the mouse brain was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Behavioral changes were evaluated by spontaneous activity frequency, memory function, and score of paralysis agitans. RESULTS： （1） NSCs were cultured and passaged for more than three passages. Immunocytochemistry revealed positive nestin staining, as well as neurofilament protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein. （2） TSPG significantly increased NSC proliferation, in particular when combined with EGF and bFGF, which was twice as effective as FGF or bFGF alone. TSPG also induced dopaminergic differentiation in NSCs, in particular when TSPG was added together with IL-1, resulting in an effect five times greater than that of IL-1 alone. （3） At day 30 following transplantation, most NSCs in the TSPG prevention group differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, and the scores of paralysis agitans, spontaneous activity, and memory function were significantly increased compared with TSPG alone or TSPG＋IL-1 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： TSPG stimulated NSC proliferation, in particular when combined with FGF and bFGF. TSPG significantly induced dopaminergic neuronal differentiation of NSCs, and the effect was greater when combined with IL-1. In addition, TSPG greatly improved behavior in the Parkinson＇s disease mouse model following NSC transplantation. Following NSC transplantation, TSPG pretreatment exhibited superior efficacy over either TSPG alone or TSPG in combination with IL-1, in terms of behavioral improvements in the Parkinson＇s disease mouse model.

Neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor-2 in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cellular and mouse models of Parkinson’s disease

Skin-derived precursor Schwann cells have been reported to play a protective role in the central nervous system. The neuroprotective effects of skin-derived precursor Schwann cells may be attributable to the release of growth factors that nourish host cells. In this study, we first established a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease using 6-hydroxydopamine. When SH-SY5 Y cells were pretreated with conditioned medium from skin-derived precursor Schwann cells, their activity was greatly increased. The addition of insulin-like growth factor-2 neutralizing antibody markedly attenuated the neuroprotective effects of skin-derived precursor Schwann cells. We also found that insulin-like growth factor-2 levels in the peripheral blood were greatly increased in patients with Parkinson’s disease and in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Next, we pretreated cell models of Parkinson’s disease with insulin-like growth factor-2 and administered insulin-like growth factor-2 intranasally to a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine and found that the level of tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of dopamine neurons, was markedly restored, α-synuclein aggregation decreased, and insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor downregulation was alleviated. Finally, in vitro experiments showed that insulin-like growth factor-2 activated the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3 K)/AKT pathway. These findings suggest that the neuroprotective effects of skin-derived precursor Schwann cells on the central nervous system were achieved through insulinlike growth factor-2, and that insulin-like growth factor-2 may play a neuroprotective role through the insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor/PI3 K/AKT pathway. Therefore, insulin-like growth factor-2 may be an useful target for Parkinson’s disease treatment.

P2X4 receptor participates in autophagy regulation in Parkinson’s disease

Dysfunctional autophagy often occurs during the development of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Parkinson’s disease,Huntington’s disease,and Alzheimer’s disease.The purinergic P2X4 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel that is widely expressed in the microglia,astrocytes,and neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems.P2X4R is involved in the regulation of cellular excitability,synaptic transmission,and neuroinflammation.However,the role played by P2X4R in Parkinson’s disease remains poorly understood.Rat models of Parkinson’s disease were established by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine into the substantia nigra pars compacta.P2X4R-targeted small interfering RNA(siRNA)was injected into the same area 1 week before injury induction to inhibit the expression of the P2X4 receptor.The results showed that the inhibition of P2X4 receptor expression in Parkinson’s disease model rats reduced the rotation behavior induced by apomorphine treatment,increased the latency on the rotarod test,and upregulated the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase,brain-derived neurotrophic factor,LC3-II/LC3-I,Beclin-1,and phosphorylated tropomyosin receptor kinase B(TrkB)in brain tissue,while simultaneously reducing p62 levels.These findings suggest that P2X4 receptor activation might inhibit neuronal autophagy through the regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB signaling pathway,leading to dopaminergic neuron damage in the substantia nigra and the further inhibition of P2X4 receptor-mediated autophagy.These results indicate that P2X4 receptor might serve as a potential novel target for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University(approval No.QYFYWZLL26119)on April 12,2016.

Polymorphism analysis of PARK2 gene mutations in Han Chinese patients with early-onset Parkinson's disease

The PARK2 gene is a common disease gene in Han Chinese patients with Parkinson＇s disease.The detection of mutations in the PARK2 gene remains low.To investigate the role PARK2 gene mutations play in the pathogenesis of Parkinson＇s disease,30 Han Chinese patients with early-onset Parkinson＇s disease and 38 normal controls were studied to determine the sequence changes of 1,4,6 and 7 exon sections.In the 30 patients with Parkinson＇s disease,a heterozygous intron mutation（nt 119,G→G/A）in exon 1 was detected in one case;a homozygous intron mutation（nt 526500,T→C）between intron 3 and exon 4 in fourteen cases was found;a heterozygous intron mutation（nt 526607,G→G/A）between intron 3 and exon 4 was observed in eight cases;an exon 6missense mutation（nt 754317,C→C/T;codon 193,CGG→CGG/TGG;aa 193,Arg→Arg/Trp）in three cases was seen;and an exon 7 missense mutation（nt 941943,C→A/C;codon 272,CTC→CTC/ATC;aa 272,Leu→Leu/lle）was found in one case.These changes were not found in the normal population.The results indicated that the PARK2 exons 6 and 7 mutations are possibly pathogenic mutations,along with the intron 3-exert 4 and exon 1 mutations.PARK2 gene mutations are possible factors leading to the onset of Parkinson＇s disease.

Isatin decreases Bax protein expression in the substantia nigra of a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

The present study observed the action of 1H-indole-2, 3-dione （isatin） on Bax protein expression in the substantia nigra of a Parkinson＇s disease animal model. Parkinson＇s disease-like behaviors were induced in C57BL/6J mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） Bax protein expression was significantly reduced in isatin （100, 200 mg/kg）-pretreated mice. Results demonstrate that isatin plays a neuroprotective role in mice treated with MPTP by down-regulating Bax protein expression.

Tracking of iron-labeled human neural stem cells by magnetic resonance imaging in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson＇s disease

Human neural stem cells（h NSCs） derived from the ventral mesencephalon are powerful research tools and candidates for cell therapies in Parkinson＇s disease. However, their clinical translation has not been fully realized due, in part, to the limited ability to track stem cell regional localization and survival over long periods of time after in vivo transplantation. Magnetic resonance imaging provides an excellent non-invasive method to study the fate of transplanted cells in vivo. For magnetic resonance imaging cell tracking, cells need to be labeled with a contrast agent, such as magnetic nanoparticles, at a concentration high enough to be easily detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Grafting of human neural stem cells labeled with magnetic nanoparticles allows cell tracking by magnetic resonance imaging without impairment of cell survival, proliferation, self-renewal, and multipotency. However, the results reviewed here suggest that in long term grafting, activated microglia and macrophages could contribute to magnetic resonance imaging signal by engulfing dead labeled cells or iron nanoparticles dispersed freely in the brain parenchyma over time.

Oxidative modification of the molecular chaperone family in a PC12 cell model of Parkinson's disease induced by Z-Ile-Glu(OtBu)-Ala-Leucinal

Previous studies have demonstrated that ubiquitin-proteasome system function is significantly decreased in the substantia nigra of Parkinson＇s disease patients. In the present study, proteasome inhibitor Z-Ile-Glu（OtBu）-Ala-Leucinal （PSI） was used to inhibit the function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in PC12 cells to simulate Parkinson＇s disease. Oxidatively modified proteins were identified to determine pathogenesis of Parkinson＇s disease. Results demonstrated that 24 hours of 10 IJmol/L PSI-treatment in PC12 cells simulated pathological characteristics of Parkinson＇s disease： neuronal degeneration and eosinophilic inclusion formation in neurons. In PSI-treated PC12 cells, three oxidative proteins and a molecular chaperone family member were detected： chaperonin containing t-complex polypeptide 1 subunit 3, glucose-regulated protein 58, and heat shock protein 70. This is the first study to demonstrate oxidative modification of a molecule family in a cell model of Parkinson＇s disease induced with PSI.

Heat shock protein 90 is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating skeletal muscle abnormalities in Parkinson's disease

Previous studies have confirmed that heat shock protein 90 overexpression can lead to dopami- nergic neuronal death. This study was designed to further investigate what effects are produced by heat shock protein 90 after endurance exercise training. Immunohistochemistry results showed that exercise training significantly inhibited heat shock protein 90 overexpression in the soleus and gastrocnemius in Parkinson＇s disease rats, which is a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating skeletal muscle abnormalities in Parkinso^s disease.