Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are still partially unknown; a main role seems to be played by chronic neuroinflammation. A few reports have addressed the possible involvement of the inflammasome in PD, just describing the protective effect of P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R) blockers in murine models of the disease and in microglial cells, where NLRP3 is activated by α-Synuclein, triggering a neuroinflammation that contributes to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. It is still unclear whether, in addition to the increased brain expression and function of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing type 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome platform, a systemic activation of such complex might participate in the pathogenesis of PD, which could be the role of the P2X7R in this scenario, and whether such patterns undergo any specific epigenetic regulation. The present study has been designed to address these issues.
The day of the study patientes underwent a complete clinical evaluation and assessment of psycho-physical abilities using specific test such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognitive Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein to assess serum and plasma aliquots for blood routine analysis and RNA and protein extraction from circulating lymphomonocytes. To explore a putative epigenetic regulation of such complex scenario some circulating miRNAs likely involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases and neuro-inflammation will be measured. Expression and functional activity of P2X7R-inflammasome complex will be measured by PCR and WB. Acute phase cytokines inflammasome-related levels will be determined by ELISA. Biochemical parameters (fasting glucose, lipid profile, serum creatinine, uric acid) will be measured by standard methods in the biochemistry laboratory of the University Hospital in Pisa. The same determinations will be repeated after one year from the first visit.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
The study do not provide any experimental drugs. Patientes will receive treatment routinary used by Neurologist for these diseases.
University of Pisa
Pisa, Italy
Change from baseline in P2X7R-inflammasome activity
NLRP3-ASC-Caspase-1 activity is measured using RT-PCR
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
Change from baseline in NFkB activity
NFkB activity is measured using RT-PCR
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
Change from baseline in serum α-synuclein
Circulating levels of α-synuclein are determined using high sensitivity Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and express as \[ng/ml\]
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
Change from baseline in serum IL-1β
Circulating levels of IL-1β are determined using high sensitivity Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and express as \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
Change from baseline in serum IL-18
Circulating levels of IL-18 are determined using high sensitivity Quantikine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and express as \[pg/ml\]
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
Change from baseline in circulating levels of microRNA miR-30 and miR-7
Circulating levels of microRNA miR-30 and miR-7 are measured using TaqMan Advanced MicroRNA Assays
Time frame: each patient will be assessed one year after diagnosis
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.