Sex-dependent immune activation shapes disease progression in a model of Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While it is clear that inflammation contributes to Parkinson's disease (PD) and prevalence is higher in males, sex remains an underexplored determinant of immune responses in PD.

Methods

Using the 3KL transgenic mouse model, which expresses three E to K α-synuclein mutations, we investigated how sex and age shape peripheral and central immunity and behavior in synucleinopathy. Male and female 3KL mice were aged to 8- and 14-months. At these ages animals underwent motor and cognitive assessment, followed by assessment of the peripheral immune response using flow cytometry and analysis of microglial transcriptional profiles by bulk RNA sequencing.

Results

Male 3KL mice exhibited earlier onset and greater severity of motor and cognitive impairments, which was

SUBMITTER: Beauchamp LC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849739 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature