J Mov Disord.  2016 Jan;9(1):14-19. 10.14802/jmd.15059.

Mechanism of Anti-α-Synuclein Immunotherapy

• Lee JS
• Lee SJ

• KMID: 2308771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.15059

Abstract

Immunization therapy targeting α-synuclein has emerged as a promising approach for Parkinson's disease and perhaps for other synucleinopathies. Several antibodies have shown therapeutic effects in mouse models of synucleinopathies and have alleviated the pathological and behavioral phenotypes of these mice. The mechanisms through which the immunization therapy works were initially puzzling, especially given that α-synuclein is a typical cytosolic protein. Recent studies, however, suggested that extracellular α-synuclein is an important pathogenic entity, and hence, a target for immunotherapy. Here, we review the literature describing immunization therapy for synucleinopathies in mouse models and provide current thoughts on the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of α-synuclein immunotherapy.

Keyword

Synucleinopathy; α-synuclein; Aggregate transmission; Microglia activation; Immunotherapy

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies
Cytosol
Immunization
Immunotherapy*
Mice
Parkinson Disease
Phenotype
Therapeutic Uses
Antibodies
Therapeutic Uses