Study reveals molecular changes in brain cells with Lewy bodies

A new study from Van Andel Institute scientists offers a first look into the complex molecular changes that occur in brain cells with Lewy bodies, which are key pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and some dementias.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, reveal that brain cells with Lewy bodies exhibit a specific gene expression pattern akin to a disease-related fingerprint.

We've long known that Lewy bodies play a role in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases but there are still many unanswered questions. Why are some cells more susceptible to Lewy bodies than others? How do Lewy bodies actually affect cells? Our findings are an important starting point for better understanding how cells respond to Lewy bodies, which is an area of great potential for informing new therapies."

Michael Henderson, Ph.D., study's corresponding author, VAI Assistant Professor 

Lewy bodies are clumps of misshapen proteins that are believed to disrupt healthy cellular function and contribute to cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. Loss of these vital cells contributes to disease symptoms.

Thanks to recent technological advances, in particular a new technique called spatial transcriptomics, Henderson and his team were able to compare brain cells with Lewy bodies to brain cells without Lewy bodies in deep detail. The pattern they identified includes genes that affect many critical processes required for brain health, including cellular communication, energy regulation, cellular trash removal, and inflammation. The study included preclinical models and cells from people with Parkinson's.

"Our findings support the idea that cells with Lewy bodies affect other cells and processes in the brain," Henderson said. "Moving forward, we plan to explore the molecular pathways disrupted by Lewy bodies to identify mechanisms that may be protective."

Authors include Thomas M. Goralski, M.S., Lindsay Meyerdirk, M.S., Libby Breton, M.S., Laura Brasseur, Kevin Kurgat, Daniella DeWeerd, Lisa Turner, Katelyn Becker, M.S., and Marie Adams, M.S., of VAI; and Daniel Newhouse, Ph.D., of NanoString Technologies. VAI's Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Genomics Core, Optical Imaging Core, Pathology and Biorepository Core, and Vivarium Core contributed to this research. This work would not have been possible without the individuals and families who donated tissue. Brain tissue was provided through Banner Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program.

Source:
Journal reference:

Goralski, T. M., et al. (2024). Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular dysfunction associated with cortical Lewy pathology. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47027-8.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Novel mechanism enhances bacteria's defense against environmental threats