Nasal inoculation with a-synuclein aggregates evokes rigidity, locomotor deficits and immunity to such misfolded species as well as dopamine

• Animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been widely used to investigate the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder which is typically associated with the specific and largely disordered protein alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn). In the current study, the nasal vector was used to deliver alpha-syn aggregates to the brain. Both alpha-syn oligomers and its fibrils were firstly characterized using atomic force microscopy and the thioflavin T binding assay. The toxic oligomers alone (0.48 mg/kg) or their 50:50 combination with fibrils (in a total dose of 0.48 mg/kg) were then given intranasally for ten days in mice and PD-mimetic symptoms as well as humoral immunity to these species and dopamine (DA) were evaluated simultaneously. Open-field behavioral deficits indicated by rigidity and reduced locomotor activity were induced by the dual administration of alpha-syn oligomers plus fibrils but not the oligomers by themselves under the 10-day dosing regimen. In contrast, using ELISA, high levels of serum autoantibodies to alpha-syn monomeric, oligomeric and fibrillar conformers as well as DA were observed in both treatment groups reflecting immune system activation and this substantiates previous clinical studies in Parkinson's disease patients. Thus, nasal administration of alpha-syn amyloidogenic species may be a potential experimental PD model which results not only in motor deficits but also incitement of humoral protection to mimic the disease. Such a paradigm may be exploitable in the quest for potential therapeutic strategies and further studies are warranted.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi -- Medicinsk bioteknologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology -- Medical Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

alpha-Synuclein oligomers

Fibrils

Rigidity

Locomotor activity

Autoantibodies

Dopamine

Rodent

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)