Abnormal Alpha-Synuclein Aggregates Cause Synaptic- and Microcircuit-specific Deficits in the Retinal Rod Pathway

Alpha-synuclein ( α-Syn) is a key determinator of Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathology, but synapse and microcircuit pathologies in the retina underlying visual dysfunction are poorly understood. Using the old transgenic M83 PD model (16-18 monthes) coupled with histochemical and ultra-structural analyses and ophtha lmologic measurements, we revealed that abnormal α-Syn aggregation in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was associated with degeneration in the CtBP2+ ribbon synapses of photoreceptor terminals and PKCα+ rod bipolar cells terminals while α-Syn aggregates in the inner retina correlated with the redu ction and degeneration of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- and parvalbumin (PV)-positive amacrine cells.
Source: American Journal of Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research