Cited by 126Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsAutophagy in Disease and TherapyNuclear Receptors and Signaling

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Loss of autophagy in dopaminergic neurons causes Lewy pathology and motor dysfunction in aged mice

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Abstract

Inactivation of constitutive autophagy results in the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions in neurons, but the relationship between impaired autophagy and Lewy bodies (LBs) as well as the in vivo process of formation remains unknown. Synuclein, a component of LBs, is the defining characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we characterize dopamine (DA) neuron–specific autophagy-deficient mice and provide in vivo evidence for LB formation. Synuclein deposition is preceded by p62 and resulted in the formation of inclusions containing synuclein and p62. The number and size of these inclusions were gradually increased in neurites rather than soma with aging. These inclusions may facilitate peripheral failures. As a result, DA neuron loss and motor dysfunction including the hindlimb defect were observed in 120-week-old mice. P62 aggregates derived from an autophagic defect might serve as “seeds” and can potentially be cause of LB formation.

Overview

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TL;DR

Dopamine neuron–specific Atg7 deletion in mice causes age-related p62 inclusions that precede synuclein accumulation, Lewy-like pathology, loss of TH neurons, and motor dysfunction. The findings suggest autophagic p62 aggregates may serve as “seeds” for Lewy body formation.

Key findings

  • Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice had 13.54 ± 2.27% residual Atg7 in midbrain versus controls and developed motor coordination impairment around 100 weeks, with apparent deficits around 110 weeks, including frequent hindlimb slips on the runway and reduced rotarod fall latency.
  • p62-positive inclusions appeared in substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons by 2 months, increased in number and size with age, and were mainly localized outside the soma along neurites; synuclein accumulation was observed around 9 months and colocalized with p62 inclusions, with 89.30 ± 1.65% of synuclein inclusions located in TH fibers (n = 5, each 2 slices).
  • In 120-week-old mice, Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice had fewer TH neurons than controls, most prominently in the center area of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNcc) (n = 4 cKO; n = 5 control), and HPLC showed reduced striatal DA and metabolites (n = 3 per group; *P = 0.05).
  • Ultrastructural analysis showed electron-dense filamentous inclusions in SN somata and neurites containing mitochondria and autophagosome-like structures; the authors speculate p62 aggregates containing mitochondria represent early Lewy body biogenesis.

Methods

  • Generated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) neuron–specific Atg7 conditional knockout mice (Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre) by crossing Atg7flox/flox mice with TH-Cre mice; controls were Atg7flox/flox mice.
  • Assessed locomotor behavior from 90 to 120 weeks using an accelerating rotarod (3 to 35 rpm over 5 min) and a narrow beam runway test; performed immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy/immunoelectron microscopy, and HPLC of dorsal striatum.
  • Statistical significance was determined by Student’s t-test; behavioral tests used n = 10 per genotype, TH neuron counts used n = 4 cKO and n = 5 control, and HPLC used n = 3 per group.

Limitations

  • The paper states that many questions remain about Lewy body formation, that none of the current genetic PD mouse models recapitulates all features of PD, and that only a few develop mild DA neurodegeneration; it also notes that compensatory mechanisms during development may make degenerative phenotypes hard to observe over the mouse lifespan.
  • The paper states that the reason the significant decrease in dopamine was not accompanied by concomitant reductions in DOPAC and HVA was not clarified, and it describes the p62 “seed” role as speculation.
  • Evident from the text: survival was not observed over the entire lifespan, some synuclein data at early stages are reported as “data not shown,” and terminal analyses used small sample sizes (n = 3–5 per group).

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41598-018-21325-w

Cites

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Figures

Figure 1 Behavioral and neuropathological examinations of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) Schematic representation of the genetic cross between mice carrying the floxed Atg7 allele (Atg7 F/F) and knock-in mice carrying Cre inserted at the 3’UTR of the TH gene (TH-Cre) to generate Atg7 F/F:TH-Cre (or Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre) mice. (B) Runway test of Atg7flox/flox mice (a) and Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (b) In contrast to the Atg7flox/flox mice, which exhibited well-coordinated movement and almost no slips of the forepaw or hindpaw from the beam, Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice could hardly move on the beam and the hindpaw slipped frequently (over 110 weeks of age). In this figure, the hindpaw of the Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice has slipped off the beam. (c) The number of hindlimb slips was recorded as 85-week-old and 120-week-old mice cross the challenging beam. Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (C) In the accelerating rotarod assay, rotation was accelerated from 3 rpm to 35 rpm over 5 min, and fall latency was recorded, in mice from 95 to 120 weeks of age. Red line, Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice; blue line, Atg7flox/flox mice. Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (D) Histological analyses of locus coeruleus (LC) in a 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) (a) and immunostained for TH (b), ubiquitin (c), and p62 (d). In the each staining (a-d), many inclusions are apparent (arrow). Scale bars: 10 µm. (E) Immunofluorescence labeling of p62 (green) or ubiquitin (red) in the LC of an Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse (a–c) and an Atg7flox/flox mouse (d–f)., Scale bars: 20 µm.
Figure 1 Behavioral and neuropathological examinations of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) Schematic representation of the genetic cross between mice carrying the floxed Atg7 allele (Atg7 F/F) and knock-in mice carrying Cre inserted at the 3’UTR of the TH gene (TH-Cre) to generate Atg7 F/F:TH-Cre (or Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre) mice. (B) Runway test of Atg7flox/flox mice (a) and Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (b) In contrast to the Atg7flox/flox mice, which exhibited well-coordinated movement and almost no slips of the forepaw or hindpaw from the beam, Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice could hardly move on the beam and the hindpaw slipped frequently (over 110 weeks of age). In this figure, the hindpaw of the Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice has slipped off the beam. (c) The number of hindlimb slips was recorded as 85-week-old and 120-week-old mice cross the challenging beam. Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (C) In the accelerating rotarod assay, rotation was accelerated from 3 rpm to 35 rpm over 5 min, and fall latency was recorded, in mice from 95 to 120 weeks of age. Red line, Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice; blue line, Atg7flox/flox mice. Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (D) Histological analyses of locus coeruleus (LC) in a 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) (a) and immunostained for TH (b), ubiquitin (c), and p62 (d). In the each staining (a-d), many inclusions are apparent (arrow). Scale bars: 10 µm. (E) Immunofluorescence labeling of p62 (green) or ubiquitin (red) in the LC of an Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse (a–c) and an Atg7flox/flox mouse (d–f)., Scale bars: 20 µm.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Development of p62-positive aggregates in dopaminergic neurons. (A) Histological analyses of 2-month-old mice (a), 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox control (b), and 18-month old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice (c). Cryosections were immunostained for p62. In contrast to Atg7flox/flox mice, in which no aggregates were seen in dopaminergic neurons, p62 positive aggregates increased in number (d) and size (e) in the dopaminergic neurons of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice as a function of age. Scale bars: 20 µm. High magnification of p62 inclusions is shown in the inset. Scale bar: 50 µm (inset) Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (B) Immunoblot for ubiquitin, synuclein, p62, and actin. Lanes 1–3: 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox mice; lanes 4–6: 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (C) (a) Histological analyses of dopaminergic neurons in an 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Cryosections were immunostained for p62 (black) and TH (brown) Scale bars: 50 µm. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b). P62 inclusion (arrow) is present along TH fibers. Scale bars: 10 µm. (D) The number of p62-positive aggregates within TH fibers was identified by high-resolution image through dopaminergic neurons revealed immunofluorescence labeling of TH (red) and p62 (green). Scale bars: 20 µm. High magnification of inclusion is shown in the inset. Scale bars: 20 µm (inset). Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (E) Electron micrographs of neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Somata (a,b) and neurites (c,d) of 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b). Electron-dense filamentous inclusions were observed in neurons of the SN. (c) Inclusion in a neurite, containing mitochondria and autophagosomes (white arrows). Inclusion is labeled with a dashed line. (d) Electron micrograph of an inclusion immunostained for p62. Electron-dense area (white asterisk) indicates a p62-positive aggregate, which contains many mitochondria (white arrowheads). Inclusion is labeled with a dashed line. Scale bars: (a) 5 µm, (b) 2 µm, (c) 1 µm, (d) 500 nm.
Figure 2 Development of p62-positive aggregates in dopaminergic neurons. (A) Histological analyses of 2-month-old mice (a), 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox control (b), and 18-month old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice (c). Cryosections were immunostained for p62. In contrast to Atg7flox/flox mice, in which no aggregates were seen in dopaminergic neurons, p62 positive aggregates increased in number (d) and size (e) in the dopaminergic neurons of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice as a function of age. Scale bars: 20 µm. High magnification of p62 inclusions is shown in the inset. Scale bar: 50 µm (inset) Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (B) Immunoblot for ubiquitin, synuclein, p62, and actin. Lanes 1–3: 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox mice; lanes 4–6: 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (C) (a) Histological analyses of dopaminergic neurons in an 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Cryosections were immunostained for p62 (black) and TH (brown) Scale bars: 50 µm. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b). P62 inclusion (arrow) is present along TH fibers. Scale bars: 10 µm. (D) The number of p62-positive aggregates within TH fibers was identified by high-resolution image through dopaminergic neurons revealed immunofluorescence labeling of TH (red) and p62 (green). Scale bars: 20 µm. High magnification of inclusion is shown in the inset. Scale bars: 20 µm (inset). Data show means ± SE (error bars), and statistical significance was evaluated using Student’s t-test. **P < 0.01. (E) Electron micrographs of neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Somata (a,b) and neurites (c,d) of 18-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b). Electron-dense filamentous inclusions were observed in neurons of the SN. (c) Inclusion in a neurite, containing mitochondria and autophagosomes (white arrows). Inclusion is labeled with a dashed line. (d) Electron micrograph of an inclusion immunostained for p62. Electron-dense area (white asterisk) indicates a p62-positive aggregate, which contains many mitochondria (white arrowheads). Inclusion is labeled with a dashed line. Scale bars: (a) 5 µm, (b) 2 µm, (c) 1 µm, (d) 500 nm.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Endogenous synuclein accumulates in dopaminergic neurons of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) (a) Histological analyses of substantia nigra (SN) in a 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Thickly sliced (40-µm) cryosections were immunostained for synuclein, and the SN was broadly observed on a VS120 microscopic 3D measurement system (Olympus). Scale bars: 100 µm. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b) (Scale Bar: 20 µm) and square areas in (b) are enlarged in (c) (Scale bars: 10 µm). Arrows indicate synuclein inclusions within soma and neurites. (B) Immunoblot for synuclein and actin. Lanes 1–3: 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox mouse; lanes 4–6: 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. (C) Quantitation of the immunoblot for synuclein; ratio of synuclein to actin is shown. Synuclein accumulated in the midbrains of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. Data show means ± SE (n = 3). **P < 0.01 (Student’s t-test). (D) Immunofluorescence labeling of synuclein (green) or p62 (red) in the SN of an Atg7flox/flox mouse (Upper panels) and an Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse (middle and lower panels). Synuclein accumulates in somata (middle panels) and/or neurites (lower panels), where synuclein colocalizes with p62-positive inclusions. DAPI nuclear staining is shown in blue, Scale bars: 20 µm. (E) High-resolution confocal three-dimensional (3D) image of p62 and synuclein positive inclusions, which localize around soma in the midbrain. DAPI nuclear staining is shown in blue. Scale bars: 10 µm.
Figure 3 Endogenous synuclein accumulates in dopaminergic neurons of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) (a) Histological analyses of substantia nigra (SN) in a 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. Thickly sliced (40-µm) cryosections were immunostained for synuclein, and the SN was broadly observed on a VS120 microscopic 3D measurement system (Olympus). Scale bars: 100 µm. Square areas in (a) are enlarged in (b) (Scale Bar: 20 µm) and square areas in (b) are enlarged in (c) (Scale bars: 10 µm). Arrows indicate synuclein inclusions within soma and neurites. (B) Immunoblot for synuclein and actin. Lanes 1–3: 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox mouse; lanes 4–6: 9-month-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse. (C) Quantitation of the immunoblot for synuclein; ratio of synuclein to actin is shown. Synuclein accumulated in the midbrains of Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. Data show means ± SE (n = 3). **P < 0.01 (Student’s t-test). (D) Immunofluorescence labeling of synuclein (green) or p62 (red) in the SN of an Atg7flox/flox mouse (Upper panels) and an Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mouse (middle and lower panels). Synuclein accumulates in somata (middle panels) and/or neurites (lower panels), where synuclein colocalizes with p62-positive inclusions. DAPI nuclear staining is shown in blue, Scale bars: 20 µm. (E) High-resolution confocal three-dimensional (3D) image of p62 and synuclein positive inclusions, which localize around soma in the midbrain. DAPI nuclear staining is shown in blue. Scale bars: 10 µm.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Delayed dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) Histological analyses of SN in 120-week-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre and Atg7flox/flox mice. Paraffin sections were immunostained for TH and demonstrated as shown the Table. SNcl: lateral area of substantia nigra pars compacta; SNcc: center area of substantia nigra pars compacta; VTA: Ventral Tegmental Area. Scale bars: 20 µm. (B) The number of dopaminergic neurons in the SN was identified by TH immunoreactivity. Data are means ± SE (Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre, n = 4; Atg7flox/flox mice, n = 5) **P < 0.01 (Student’s t-test). (C) HPLC analysis of DA, DOPAC, and HVA levels in the dorsal striatum at 120 weeks. Data are means ± SE (Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre, n = 3; Atg7flox/flox mice, n = 3) *P = 0.05 (Student’s t-test).
Figure 4 Delayed dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre mice. (A) Histological analyses of SN in 120-week-old Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre and Atg7flox/flox mice. Paraffin sections were immunostained for TH and demonstrated as shown the Table. SNcl: lateral area of substantia nigra pars compacta; SNcc: center area of substantia nigra pars compacta; VTA: Ventral Tegmental Area. Scale bars: 20 µm. (B) The number of dopaminergic neurons in the SN was identified by TH immunoreactivity. Data are means ± SE (Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre, n = 4; Atg7flox/flox mice, n = 5) **P < 0.01 (Student’s t-test). (C) HPLC analysis of DA, DOPAC, and HVA levels in the dorsal striatum at 120 weeks. Data are means ± SE (Atg7flox/flox:TH-Cre, n = 3; Atg7flox/flox mice, n = 3) *P = 0.05 (Student’s t-test).CC BY · PubMed Central

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31 Own result · 20 Not checked yet · 10 Own interpretation · 1 Supported · 1 Partly supported · 1 Own method · 1 No basis given · accuracy not yet measured

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  • Probably not a substantial claim. 16
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 19
30 of 30
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The relationship between impaired autophagy and Lewy body formation and the in vivo process of formation remains unknown.

    “Inactivation of constitutive autophagy results in the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions in neurons, but the relationship between impaired autophagy and Lewy bodies (LBs) as well as the in vivo process of formation remains unknown.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In DA neurons, no detailed reports to date have examined endogenous synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic cell bodies and neurites associated with Lewy pathology.

    “In DA neurons, the primary site of endogenous pathology, no detailed reports to date have examined the endogenous synuclein accumulation in dopaminergic cell bodies and neurites, which is associated with Lewy pathology.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mechanisms underlying age-related progression and intracellular localization of p62 inclusions in dopaminergic neurons remain elusive.

    “However, the mechanisms underlying age-related progression and intracellular localization of these inclusions in dopaminergic neurons remain elusive.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    It remained unclear how synuclein accumulation is associated with PD pathology.

    “Previous in vivo analysis of DA neurons suggested that synuclein regulation is linked to autophagy9,15, but it remained unclear how synuclein accumulation is associated with PD pathology.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most genetically modified mouse PD models do not exhibit neuronal loss.

    “To date, many genetically modified mice have been developed as PD models, but most of them do not exhibit neuronal loss.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    None of the current genetic PD models in mouse recapitulates all features of PD.

    “None of the current genetic PD models in mouse recapitulates all features of PD.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Only a few genetic PD models develop mild DA neurodegeneration.

    “Additionally, only a few of these models develop mild DA neurodegeneration.”
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Metadata

Authors
Sato, S., Uchihara, T., Fukuda, T., Noda, S., Kondo, H., Saiki, S., Komatsu, M., Uchiyama, Y., Tanaka, K., & Hattori, N.
Affiliations
  • Juntendo University (JP)
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science (JP)
  • Jikei University School of Medicine (JP)
  • Niigata University (JP)
Corresponding author
  • Sato, Shigeto
  • Hattori, Nobutaka
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2018-02-12
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
2813-2813
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2800535259
Cited by
125
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 7
FWCI
11.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (25111006, 17H03555, 25111007, 17K07797, 15H04843, 18H04043, 26000014, 16K14572)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nuclear Receptors and Signaling
Keywords
autophagy, dopaminergic neurons, Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease, synuclein, p62, neuronal inclusions, aging, motor impairment, autophagy-deficient mice, protein aggregation, neurodegeneration
MeSH terms
Animals, Autophagy, Brain, Inclusion Bodies, Disease Models, Animal, Parkinson Disease, Transcription Factors, Neurites, Lewy Bodies, Motor Skills Disorders, Mice, Transcription Factor TFIIH, Synucleins, Dopaminergic Neurons

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