title: Midbrain catecholaminergic neurons co-express α-synuclein and tau in progressive supranuclear palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the frequency and distribution of α-synuclein deposits in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
  
  
  METHODS
  The brains of 25 cases of pathologically confirmed PSP were evaluated with immunohistochemistry for α-synuclein and tau. Multiple immunofluorescent stains were applied to analyze the expression of tau and α-synuclein aggregates in catecholaminergic neurons. Patients' clinical symptoms were retrospectively recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Deposits α-synuclein in the form of typical Lewy bodies (LBs) were only found in two PSP cases (8%) that fulfilled the clinical subtype of PSP known as Richardson's syndrome (RS). LBs were present in the locus ceruleus (LC), substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), basal forebrain, amygdala and cingulated cortex in a distribution mimicking that of Parkinson's disease (PD). Triple-immunolabeling revealed co-expression of α-synuclein and tau proteins in some tyrosine hydroxilase (TH)-positive neurons of the LC and SNc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no apparent clinical correlation between the presence of LBs in PSP. Tau protein co-aggregate with α-synuclein in catecholaminergic neurons of PSP brains suggesting a synergistic interaction between the two proteins. This is in keeping with the current view of neurodegenerative disorders as "misfolded protein diseases".
authors: Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra Pamplona, Spain ; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) Pamplona, Spain.
authors: María Elena
authors: ME
authors: Erro Aguirre
authors: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) Pamplona, Spain ; Brain Bank, Navarra Biomed Pamplona, Spain.
authors: María Victoria
authors: MV
authors: Zelaya
authors: Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra Pamplona, Spain ; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) Pamplona, Spain.
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Sánchez Ruiz de Gordoa
authors: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) Pamplona, Spain ; Department of Neuropathology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra Pamplona, Spain.
authors: María Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Tuñón
authors: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IDISNA) Pamplona, Spain ; Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) Pamplona, Spain ; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) Pamplona, Spain.
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Lanciego
keywords: atypical parkinsonian disorders; lewy bodies; multiple immunolabeling techniques; neurodegenerative diseases; substantia nigra