[Therapeutic immunization protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease ]
>>Published online before print June 14, 2004
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 10.1073/pnas.0400569101
Neuroscience
Therapeutic immunization protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Eric J. Benner *, R. Lee Mosley *, Chris J. Destache , Travis B. Lewis *, Vernice Jackson-Lewis , Santhi Gorantla *, Craig Nemachek *, Steven R. Green *, Serge Przedborski ¶||, and Howard E. Gendelman ***
*Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders and Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and **Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198; Departments of Neurology and ¶Pathology and ||Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032; and College of Pharmacy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178
Edited by Floyd E. Bloom, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, and approved May 10, 2004 (received for review January 25, 2004)
Degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, the hallmark of Parkinson's disease, can be recapitulated in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-intoxicated mice. Herein, we demonstrate that adoptive transfer of copolymer-1 immune cells to MPTP recipient mice leads to T cell accumulation within the substantia nigra pars compacta, suppression of microglial activation, and increased local expression of astrocyte-associated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. This immunization strategy resulted in significant protection of nigrostriatal neurons against MPTP-induced neurodegeneration that was abrogated by depletion of donor T cells. Such vaccine treatment strategies may provide benefit for Parkinson's disease.<<
Cheers, Tuck |
