German researchers have linked Parkinson’s disease to autoimmune reactions, suggesting new ways to treat some patients.
Researchers found high levels of t-cells in the brains of patients with Parkinson’s.
The findings provide new insights into risk factors for the disease, which has previously been associated with allergic syndromes.
The researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, reported their findings in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
The researchers identified t-cells, specifically TH17 cells, that were destroying dopamine-producing neurons in the mid-brain.
They say these cells can be blocked by an antibody treatment that is already used to treat psoriasis.
Researcher Professor Beate Winner said: “Thanks to our investigations, we were able to clearly prove not only that t-cells are involved in causing Parkinson’s disease, but also what role they actually play.
“The findings from our study offer a significant basis for new methods of treating Parkinson’s disease.”
Th17 Lymphocytes Induce Neuronal Cell Death in a Human iPSC-Based Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Cell Stem Cell 5 July 2018
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