Transcriptomic signatures of brain regional vulnerability to Parkinson's disease

Commun Biol. 2020 Mar 5;3(1):101. doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-0804-9.

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms underlying caudal-to-rostral progression of Lewy body pathology in Parkinson's disease remain poorly understood. Here, we identified transcriptomic signatures across brain regions involved in Braak Lewy body stages in non-neurological adults from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Among the genes that are indicative of regional vulnerability, we found known genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease: SCARB2, ELOVL7, SH3GL2, SNCA, BAP1, and ZNF184. Results were confirmed in two datasets of non-neurological subjects, while in two datasets of Parkinson's disease patients we found altered expression patterns. Co-expression analysis across vulnerable regions identified a module enriched for genes associated with dopamine synthesis and microglia, and another module related to the immune system, blood-oxygen transport, and endothelial cells. Both were highly expressed in regions involved in the preclinical stages of the disease. Finally, alterations in genes underlying these region-specific functions may contribute to the selective regional vulnerability in Parkinson's disease brains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Lewy Bodies / genetics*
  • Lewy Bodies / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics*
  • Parkinson Disease / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Transcriptome*
  • Young Adult