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Brotchie, J. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Brotchie, J. M..

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Predictive Markers of LRRK2 Inhibition in Biofluids

Hyper-activated LRRK2 is linked to Parkinson’s disease susceptibility and progression. Quantitative measures of LRRK2 inhibition, especially in the brain, may be critical in the clinical development of successful LRRK2-targeting therapeutics. In this study, three different brain-penetrant and selective LRRK2 small-molecule kinase inhibitors (PFE-360, MLi2, and RA283) were orally administered to groups of cynomolgus macaques at different doses. Biofluid markers with proposed pharmacodynamic properties for assessing LRRK2 inhibition were measured from samples of blood, urine, and cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF). LRRK2 kinase inhibition led to consistent reduced pS935-LRRK2 and pRab10 proteins in blood mononuclear cells, reduced exosome LRRK2 protein and di-docosahexaenoyl (22:6) bis (monoacylglycerol) phosphate in urine, and reduced exosome LRRK2 and autophosphorylated pS1292-LRRK2 protein in CSF. Incomplete LRRK2 kinase inhibition reduced LRRK2 protein secretion in exosomes whereas high drug exposures may reduce both exosome and tissue levels of LRRK2 protein. These orthogonal markers for LRRK2 inhibition in urine and CSF can be used in combination with blood markers to non-invasively monitor the potency of LRRK2-targeting therapeutics in the brain and periphery.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.AbbreviationsPDParkinson’s diseaseLRRK2Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 NHPs: Non-human primatesdi-22:6-BMPdi-docosahexaenoyl (22:6) bis (monoacylglycerol) phosphate CSF: Cerebrospinal fluidATPadenosine-tri phosphateView Full Text

neuroscience

α-Synuclein-induced Kv4 channelopathy in mouse vagal motoneurons causes non-motor parkinsonian symptoms

No disease modifying therapy is currently available for Parkinsons disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The long non-motor prodromal phase of PD is a window of opportunity for early detection and intervention. However, we lack the pathophysiological understanding to develop selective biomarkers and interventions. By developing a mutant -synuclein selective-overexpression mouse model of prodromal PD, we identified a cell-autonomous selective Kv4 channelopathy in dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) neurons. This functional remodeling of intact DMV neurons leads to impaired pacemaker function in vitro and in vivo, which in turn reduces gastrointestinal motility which is a common, very early symptom of prodromal PD. We show for the first time a causal chain of events from -synuclein via a biophysical dysfunction of specific neuronal populations to a clinically relevant prodromal symptom. These findings can facilitate the rational design of clinical biomarkers to identify people at risk for PD.

neuroscience