title: The gamma chain subunit of Fc receptors is required for alpha-synuclein-induced pro-inflammatory signaling in microglia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The protein alpha-synuclein (α-SYN), which is found in the Lewy bodies of dopamine-producing (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), has an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have shown that neuroinflammation plays a key role in PD pathogenesis. In an AAV-synuclein mouse model of PD, we have found that over-abundance of α-SYN triggers the expression of NF-κB p65, and leads to microglial activation and DA neurodegeneration. We also have observed that Fcγ receptors (FcγR), proteins present on the surface of microglia that bind immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other ligands, are key modulators of α-SYN-induced neurodegeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to study the role of FcγRs in the interactions of α-SYN and microglia, we treated the primary microglial cultures from wild-type (WT) and FcγR-/- mice with aggregated human α-SYN in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using immunocytochemistry, we found that α-SYN was taken up by both WT and FcγR-/- microglia, however, their patterns of internalization were different, with aggregation in autophagosomes in WT cells and more diffuse localization in FcγR-/- microglia. In WT microglia, α-SYN induced the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB p65 protein and downstream chemokine expression while in FcγR-/- mouse microglia, α-SYN failed to trigger the enhancement of nuclear NF-κB p65, and the pro-inflammatory signaling was reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that α-SYN can interact directly with microglia and can be internalized and trafficked to autophagosomes. FcγRs mediate this interaction, and in the absence of the gamma chain, there is altered intracellular trafficking and attenuation of pro-inflammatory NF-κB signaling. Therefore, blocking either FcγR signaling or downstream NF-κB activation may be viable therapeutic strategies in PD.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1719 6th Ave. South, CIRC 516, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA.
authors.forename: Shuwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Standaert
authors.forename: Ashley S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects*; D029543:Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D029543:Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens