The role of innate and adaptive immunity in Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, inflammation has become implicated as a major pathogenic factor in the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. Understanding the precise role for inflammation in PD will likely lead to understanding of how sporadic disease arises. In vivo evidence for inflammation in PD includes microglial activation, increased expression of inflammatory genes in the periphery and in the central nervous system (CNS), infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the CNS, and altered composition and phenotype of peripheral immune cells. These findings are recapitulated in various animal models of PD and are reviewed herein. Furthermore, we examine the potential relevance of PD-linked genetic mutations to altered immune function and the extent to which environmental exposures that recap

SUBMITTER: Kannarkat GT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4102262 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature