title: Immunolocalization of influenza A virus and markers of inflammation in the human Parkinson's disease brain.
abstract: Although much is known regarding the molecular mechanisms leading to neuronal cell loss in Parkinson's disease (PD), the initiating event has not been identified. Prevailing theories including a chemical insult or infectious agent have been postulated as possible triggers, leading to neuroinflammation. We present immunohistochemical data indicating the presence of influenza A virus within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) from postmortem PD brain sections. Influenza A virus labeling was identified within neuromelanin granules as well as on tissue macrophages in the SNpc. Further supporting a role for neuroinflammation in PD was the identification of T-lymphocytes that colocalized with an antibody to caspase-cleaved Beclin-1 within the SNpc. The presence of influenza A virus together with macrophages and T-lymphocytes may contribute to the neuroinflammation associated with this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States of America. trohn@boisestate.edu
authors.forename: Troy T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Rohn
authors.forename: Lindsey W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Catlin
mesh_terms: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000071186:Beclin-1; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C491997:BECN1 protein, human; D000071186:Beclin-1; D008543:Melanins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C014121:neuromelanin