Glucocerebrosidase Gene Therapy Induces Alpha-Synuclein Clearance and Neuroprotection of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons in Mice and Macaques.
Int J Mol Sci
; 22(9)2021 May 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34062940
ABSTRACT
Mutations in the GBA1 gene coding for glucocerebrosidase (GCase) are the main genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Indeed, identifying reduced GCase activity as a common feature underlying the typical neuropathological signatures of PD-even when considering idiopathic forms of PD-has recently paved the way for designing novel strategies focused on enhancing GCase activity to reduce alpha-synuclein burden and preventing dopaminergic cell death. Here we have performed bilateral injections of a viral vector coding for the mutated form of alpha-synuclein (rAAV9-SynA53T) for disease modeling purposes, both in mice as well as in nonhuman primates (NHPs), further inducing a progressive neuronal death in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Next, another vector coding for the GBA1 gene (rAAV9-GBA1) was unilaterally delivered in the SNpc of mice and NHPs one month after the initial insult, together with the contralateral delivery of an empty/null rAAV9 for control purposes. Obtained results showed that GCase enhancement reduced alpha-synuclein burden, leading to improved survival of dopaminergic neurons. Data reported here support using GCase gene therapy as a disease-modifying treatment for PD and related synucleinopathies, including idiopathic forms of these disorders.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doença de Parkinson
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Terapia Genética
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Alfa-Sinucleína
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Neurônios Dopaminérgicos
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Glucosilceramidase
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Mol Sci
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Espanha