Genetic and environmental factors in Parkinson’s converge on immune function and inflammation

• Published in: Movement disorders 2020-12, Vol.36 (1), p.25-36
• Main Authors: Kline, Elizabeth M., Houser, Madelyn C., Herrick, Mary K., Seibler, Philip, Klein, Christine, West, Andrew, Tansey, Malú G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0885-3185; 1531-8257
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.28411

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD) is a movement disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and aggregation of the protein α-synuclein. Patients with iPD vary in age of symptom onset, rate of progression, severity of motor and non-motor symptoms, and extent of central and peripheral inflammation. Genetic and environmental factors are believed to act synergistically in iPD pathogenesis. We propose that environmental factors (pesticides and infections) increase risk for iPD via the immune system and that the role of PD risk genes in immune cells is worthy of investigation. This review highlights the major PD-relevant genes expressed in immune cells and key environmental factors which activate immune cells and, alone or in combination with other factors, may contribute to iPD pathogenesis. By reviewing these interactions, we seek to enable future development of immunomodulatory approaches to prevent or delay onset of iPD.