07 August 2002
Immune processes in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease – a potential role for microglia and nitric oxide
Anna Członkowska, Iwona Kurkowska-Jastrzębska, Andrzej Członkowski, Doris Peter, George B. StefanoMed Sci Monit 2002; 8(8): RA165-177 :: ID: 13608
Abstract
It has been known for many years that immune system alterations occur in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Changes in lymphocyte populations in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, immunoglobulin synthesis, and cytokine and acute phase protein production have been observed in patients with PD. In this regard, PD patients exhibit a lower frequency of infections and cancer, suggesting that immune system stimulation may occur. This hypothesis is further supported by the observation of T-cell activation leading to the production of interferon γ in PD. As in other CNS degenerative diseases, in damaged regions in the brains of PD patients, there is evidence of inflammation, characterized by glial reaction (especially microglia), as well as increased expression of HLA-DR antigens, cytokines, and components of complement. These observations suggest that immune system mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of neuronal damage in PD. The cellular mechanisms of primary injury in PD have not been clarified, however,
but it is likely that mitochondrial mutations, oxidative stress and apoptosis play a role. Furthermore, inflammation initiated by neuronal damage in the striatum and the substantia nigra in PD may aggravate the course of the disease. These observations suggest that treatment
with anti-inflammatory drugs may act to slow progression of PD.
Keywords: Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use, Apoptosis - physiology, Autoantibodies - metabolism, Brain - metabolism, Complement Activation - physiology, Cytokines - immunology, Cytokines - metabolism, Free Radicals - metabolism, Immune System - physiology, Microglia - physiology, Nitric Oxide - physiology, Parkinson Disease - drug therapy, Parkinson Disease - immunology, Parkinson Disease - pathology, T-Lymphocytes - cytology, T-Lymphocytes - immunology, T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952