Alpha-synuclein fibrils induce autophagy in microglial cells as a consequence of lysosomal damage.

Autophagy is a constitutive lysosomal catabolic pathway that degrades damaged organelles and protein aggregates. In Parkinsons disease, the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein (AS) accumulates in neuronal cell bodies and axons. Recent studies indicate that aggregation-prone proteins can spread to other brain cells - such as glia - contributing to progressive deterioration.\n\nAlthough... Show more