Differential pathological dynamics triggered by distinct Parkinson patient-derived α-synuclein extracts in nonhuman primates

Sci Adv. 2025 Jun 20;11(25):eadu6050. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adu6050. Epub 2025 Jun 18.

Abstract

The presence of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates, such as Lewy bodies in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), contributes to dopaminergic cell death. Injection of PD patient-derived α-syn in nonhuman primates has illustrated the exquisite vulnerability of primate dopaminergic neurons. Here, we aimed to elucidate the temporal and spatial pathological changes induced by two distinct α-syn pathogenic structures, having large or small sizes. To unravel the underlying molecular pathways, we conducted a proteomic analysis of the putamen and the entorhinal cortex, two brain regions carrying notable α-syn pathology. We demonstrate that distinct assemblies of α-syn aggregates drive unique pathogenic changes that ultimately result in a comparable extent of nigrostriatal degeneration at the level of nigral dopaminergic neuron cell bodies and striatal dopaminergic terminals. More broadly, our findings identify pathogenic trajectories associated with large or small α-syn aggregates, suggesting the existence of several possible concomitant pathogenic routes in PD.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / pathology
  • Entorhinal Cortex / metabolism
  • Entorhinal Cortex / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lewy Bodies / metabolism
  • Lewy Bodies / pathology
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease* / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease* / pathology
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Putamen / metabolism
  • Putamen / pathology
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology
  • alpha-Synuclein* / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Protein Aggregates