TNTs Between Neurons Enable the Spread of Parkinson's Disease

The role of lysosomal vesicles in transporting α-synuclein aggregates, was demonstrated by scientists from the Institut Pasteur. It is responsible for Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, between neurons.

These proteins move from one neuron to the next in lysosomal vesicles which travel along the "tunneling nanotubes" between cells. These findings were published in The EMBO Journal. Synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, are characterized by the pathological deposition of aggregates of the misfolded α-synuclein protein into inclusions throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Intercellular propagation (from one neuron to the next) of α-synuclein aggregates contributes to the progression of the neuropathology, but little was known about the mechanism by which spread occurs.

In this study, scientists from the Membrane Traffic and Pathogenesis Unit, directed by Chiara Zurzolo at the Institut Pasteur, used fluorescence microscopy to demonstrate that pathogenic α-synuclein fibrils travel between neurons in culture, inside lysosomal vesicles through tunneling nanotubes (TNTs), a new mechanism of intercellular communication.

‘Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) play a significant part in the intercellular transfer of α-synuclein fibrils and reveals the specific role of lysosomes in this process.’

After being transferred via TNTs, α-synuclein fibrils are able to recruit and induce aggregation of the soluble α-synuclein protein in the cytosol of cells receiving the fibrils, thus explaining the propagation of the disease. The scientists propose that cells overloaded with α-synuclein aggregates in lysosomes dispose of this material by hijacking TNT-mediated intercellular trafficking. However, this results in the disease being spread to naive neurons.

This study demonstrates that TNTs play a significant part in the intercellular transfer of α-synuclein fibrils and reveals the specific role of lysosomes in this process. This represents a major breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms underlying the progression of synucleinopathies.

These compelling findings, together with previous reports from the same team, point to the general role of TNTs in the propagation of prion-like proteins in neurodegenerative diseases and identify TNTs as a new therapeutic target to combat the progression of these incurable diseases.

Source: Eurekalert

Brain Device with 25 Years Battery Life

Implanting a brain device for Parkinsons disease to treat diseases with abnormal brain stimulation will be used widely with the extended battery life.

A Simple Eye Test Could Help Detect Parkinson’s Disease

As the eye is connected to the brain, changes in the retina could reflect Parkinson's related changes in the brain.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Breakthrough Could Improve Parkinson's Treatment

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to reveal areas where Parkinson's disease and related conditions cause progressive decline in brain activity.

Novel Model Gives Insights of Early Spread of Parkinson's Disease in the Brain

A new laboratory model of Parkinson's is giving scientists an inside look at what happens in the brain years before motor symptoms appear.

Parkinsons Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by progressive dopamine brain cells loss. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are correctable to an extent.