title: Lymphocyte proteomics of Parkinson's disease patients reveals cytoskeletal protein dysregulation and oxidative stress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is increasing evidence of biochemical alterations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. In this work, we describe the changes in protein levels in peripheral lymphocytes of PD patients in order to identify potential peripheral biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  By means of 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry protein identification, we compared patients under L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) treatment, patients under subthalamic nucleus deep-brain stimulation and healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that cofilin-1, tropomyosin, and a specific actin isoform vary significantly in patients, regardless of the therapy. Two different isoforms of gamma-fibrinogen either correlate with the disease state or with the disease duration. Eventually, specific changes associated with the different therapies allowed to highlight oxidative stress conditions in lymphocytes in patients treated with higher doses of L-DOPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a whole, peripheral blood lymphocytes are sensitive reporters of PD over inter-individual variability, and allow the identification of specific alterations that could be further exploited for diagnostic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Structural & Functional Biology & Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, Via Alberto da Giussano 12, 21052, Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mila
authors.forename: Alessandra Giuliano
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Albo
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corpillo
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giraudo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zibetti
authors.forename: Enrico M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lopiano
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasano