Background: The application (WO2011/102847A1) deals with methods useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Objective: It aims at producing mature and functional midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons useful for the treatment of PD.
Methods: mDA neurons were produced from neural progenitor cells or stem cells by activating both the Wnt-Lmx1a/Lmx1b and the SHH-FoxA2 signaling pathways.
Results: The level of the proteins of these two synergic pathways is increased, as well as their biological activity.
Conclusion: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing PD by increasing the level of at least one protein involved in an autoregulatory pathway, which is fundamental during mDA neurons differentiation.