Introduction: Astrocytes are involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) where they could contribute to α-Synuclein pathology but also to neuroprotection via α-Synuclein clearance. The molecular signature underlying their dual role is still elusive. Given that vitamin D has been recently suggested to be protective in neurodegeneration, the aim of our study was to investigate astrocyte and neuron vitamin D pathway alterations and their correlation with α-Synuclein aggregates (ie, oligomers and fibrils) in human brain obtained from PD patients.
Methods: The expression of vitamin D pathway components CYP27B1, CYP24A1, and VDR was examined in brains obtained from PD patients (Braak stage 6; n = 9) and control subjects (n = 4). We also exploited proximity ligation assay to identified toxic α-Synuclein oligomers in human astrocytes.
Results: We found that vitamin D-activating enzyme CYP27B1 identified a subpopulation of astrocytes exclusively in PD patients. CYP27B1 positive astrocytes could display neuroprotective features as they sequester α-Synuclein oligomers and are associated with Lewy body negative neurons.
Conclusion: The presence of CYP27B1 astrocytes distinguishes PD patients and suggests their contribution to protect neurons and to ameliorate neuropathological traits.
Keywords: CYP27B1; Parkinson's disease; Vitamin D; astrocytes; α-Synuclein oligomers.
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