HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Alpha-synuclein activates stress signaling protein kinases in THP-1 cells and microglia.

Abstract
Here we show that alpha-synuclein, a major constituent of Lewy bodies, induces inflammation in human microglial and human THP-1 cells. Secretions from such stimulated THP-1 cells contain increased levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. When stimulated by alpha-synuclein in combination with IFN-gamma, secretions from the cells also become toxic towards SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The A30P, E46K and A53T alpha-synuclein mutations, which induce Parkinson's disease, are more potent than normal alpha-synuclein in the induction of such cytotoxicity. To investigate the signaling mechanisms evoked, protein phosphorylation profiling was applied. At least 81 target phospho-sites were identified. Large increases were induced in the three major mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways: p38 MAP kinase, extracellular regulated protein-serine kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Upregulation occurred within minutes following exposure to alpha-synuclein, which is consistent with a receptor-mediated effect. These findings demonstrate that alpha-synuclein acts as a potent inflammatory stimulator of microglial cells, and that inhibitors of such stimulation might be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies.
AuthorsAndis Klegeris, Steven Pelech, Benoit I Giasson, John Maguire, Hong Zhang, Edith G McGeer, Patrick L McGeer
JournalNeurobiology of aging (Neurobiol Aging) Vol. 29 Issue 5 Pg. 739-52 (May 2008) ISSN: 1558-1497 [Electronic] United States
PMID17166628 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Protein Kinases
Topics
  • Cell Line
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors (immunology)
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (immunology)
  • Microglia (immunology)
  • Monocytes (immunology)
  • Oxidative Stress (immunology)
  • Protein Kinases (immunology)
  • Signal Transduction (immunology)
  • alpha-Synuclein (immunology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: