Direct transfer of alpha-synuclein from neuron to astroglia causes inflammatory responses in synucleinopathies.

ABSTRACT: Abnormal neuronal aggregation of alpha-synuclein is implicated in the development of many neurological disorders, including Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Glial cells also show extensive alpha-synuclein pathology and may contribute to disease progression. However, the mechanism that produces the glial alpha-synuclein pathology and the interaction between neurons and glia in the disease-inflicted microenvironment remain unknown. Here, we show that alpha-synuclein proteins released from neuronal cells are taken up by astrocytes through endocytosis and form inclusion bodies. The glial accumulation of alpha-synuclein through the transmission of the neuronal protein was also demonstrated in a transgenic mouse model expressing human alpha-synuclein. Furthermore, astrocytes that

SUBMITTER: Lee HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2838344 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature