Soluble CD163 Changes Indicate Monocyte Association With Cognitive Deficits in Parkinson's Disease

Investigating the Relationship of Serum CD163, YKL40 and VILIP-1 Levels with Autism Severity and Language-cognitive Development in Preschool Children with Autism

Objective

This study aimed to compare serum levels of CD163, YKL-40, and VILIP-1 between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and healthy controls, while also investigating their association with the severity of ASD and language development.

Methods

The study included 40 ASD-diagnosed patients (aged 18-72 months) and 40 age-matched healthy controls. Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Preschool Language Scale-4, and Ankara Development Screening Inventory were administered to children in the ASD group. Serum CD163, YKL-40 and VILIP-1 levels were measured with an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results

In the ASD group compared to the control group, serum VILIP-1 levels were significantly higher (p = 0.046). No significant differences were observed in mean serum CD163 and YKL-40 levels between patients and controls (p = 0.613, p = 0.769). Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between CD163 and YKL-40 levels and ASD severity (p < 0.001 for both). Additionally, CD163 and YKL-40 levels showed significant predictive value for ASD severity. While no significant associations were found between CD163 and YKL-40 levels and language development, a negative correlation was observed between VILIP-1 levels and language development (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight that the levels of CD163 and YKL-40 significantly predicted ASD severity, indicating a potential role of neuroinflammation in the development of ASD.

Increased Parenchymal Macrophages are associated with decreased Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA levels in the Substantia Nigra of people with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Increased activation of inflammatory macrophages and altered expression of dopamine markers are found in the midbrains of people with schizophrenia (SZ). The relationship of midbrain macrophages to dopamine neurons has not been explored, nor is it known if changes in midbrain macrophages are also present in bipolar disorder (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). Herein, we determined whether there were differences in CD163+ cell density in the Substantia Nigra (SN), and cerebral peduncles (CP) of SZ, BD, and MDD compared to controls (CTRL). We also analyzed whether CD163 protein and dopamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels differed among diagnostic groups and if they correlated with the density of macrophages. Overall, perivascular CD163+ cell density was higher in the gray matter (SN) than in the white matter (CP). Compared to CTRL, we found increased density of parenchymal CD163+ cells in the SN of the three psychiatric groups and increased CD163 protein levels in SZ. CD163 protein was positively correlated with density of perivascular CD163+ cells. TH mRNA was reduced in SZ and BD and negatively correlated with parenchymal CD163+ cell density. We provide the first quantitative and molecular evidence of an increase in the density of parenchymal macrophages in the midbrain of major mental illnesses and show that the presence of these macrophages may negatively impact dopaminergic neurons.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) - Can dendritic cells and monocytes expressing this moonlight enzyme change the phase of Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease where central and peripheral immune dysfunctions have been pointed out as a critical component of susceptibility and progression of this disease. Dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are key players in promoting immune response regulation and can induce the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) under pro-inflammatory environments. This enzyme with catalytic and signaling activity supports the axis IDO1-KYN-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), promoting disease-specific immunomodulatory effects. IDO1 is a rate-limiting enzyme of the kynurenine pathway (KP) that begins tryptophan (Trp) catabolism across this pathway. The immune functions of the pathway, which are extensively described in cancer, have been forgotten so far in neurodegenerative diseases, where a chronic inflammatory environment underlines the progression of the disease. Despite dysfunctions of KP have been described in PD, these are mainly associated with neurotoxic functions. With this review, we aim to focus on the immune properties of IDO1+DCs and IDO1+monocytes as a possible strategy to balance the pro-inflammatory profile described in PD. We also highlight the importance of exploring the role of dopaminergic therapeutics in IDO1 modulation to possibly optimize current PD therapeutic strategies.

Serum monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and soluble mannose receptor aid predictive diagnosis of pediatric sepsis

BACKGROUND

To investigate the value of serum monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and soluble mannose receptor (sMR) for predictive diagnosis of pediatric sepsis.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 82 children with acute and severe signs of inflammation. According to the diagnostic criteria of sepsis, these children were divided into a sepsis group (40 cases) and a non-sepsis group (42 cases). In addition, 50 children who received health examinations during the same time period in Cangzhou Central Hospital were selected as a control group. According to the prognosis of the children in the sepsis group, they were further divided into a survival group (33 cases) and a death group (7 cases). The levels of blood indicators, inflammatory markers, liver and kidney function indicators, MCP-1 level, and sMR were collected from the children. The efficacy of using sMR and MCP-1 levels in the predictive diagnosis of sepsis was analyzed by using the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Serum levels of MCP-1 and sMR were (452.32±2.79) μg/ml and (97.23±.15) μg/ml, respectively, in the sepsis group, significantly higher than those in all controls (P<0.001). In the death group, the levels of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), sMR, and MCP-1 were significantly higher compared to the survival group (P<0.05). The AUC for CRP in predictive diagnosis of sepsis was 0.9075; the AUC for PCT was 0.8759; the AUC for sMR was 0.9244; and the AUC for MCP-1 was 0.9406.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum sMR and MCP-1 levels can help predict the diagnosis of pediatric sepsis.

Sex-dimorphic neuroprotective effect of CD163 in an α-synuclein mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation and immune activation represent hallmark pathological events in Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD-associated immune response encompasses both brain and peripheral immune cells, although little is known about the immune proteins relevant for such a response. We propose that the upregulation of CD163 observed in blood monocytes and in the responsive microglia in PD patients is a protective mechanism in the disease. To investigate this, we used the PD model based on intrastriatal injections of murine α-syn pre-formed fibrils in CD163 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type littermates. CD163KO females revealed an impaired and differential early immune response to α-syn pathology as revealed by immunohistochemical and transcriptomic analysis. After 6 months, CD163KO females showed an exacerbated immune response and α-syn pathology, which ultimately led to dopaminergic neurodegeneration of greater magnitude. These findings support a sex-dimorphic neuroprotective role for CD163 during α-syn-induced neurodegeneration.

Cytokine activity in Parkinson's disease

The contribution of the immune system to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasingly being recognised, with alterations in the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system underlying central and peripheral inflammation in PD. As chief modulators of the immune response, cytokines have been intensely studied in the field of PD both in terms of trying to understand their contribution to disease pathogenesis, and if they may comprise much needed therapeutic targets for a disease with no current modifying therapy. This review summarises current knowledge on key cytokines implicated in PD (TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-1RA) that can modulate both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Cytokine activity in PD is clearly a complicated process mediated by substantial cross-talk of signalling pathways and the need to balance pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. However, understanding cytokine activity may hold promise for unlocking new insight into PD and how it may be halted.

Shared Genetic Architecture between Parkinson's Disease and Brain Structural Phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have consistently demonstrated brain structure abnormalities, indicating the presence of shared etiological and pathological processes between PD and brain structures; however, the genetic relationship remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of shared genetic architecture between PD and brain structural phenotypes (BSPs) and to identify shared genomic loci.

METHODS

We used the summary statistics from genome-wide association studies to conduct MiXeR and conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate analyses to investigate the shared genetic signatures between PD and BSPs. Subsequent expression quantitative trait loci mapping in the human brain and enrichment analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

MiXeR analysis identified genetic overlap between PD and various BSPs, including total cortical surface area, average cortical thickness, and specific brain volumetric structures. Further analysis using conditional false discovery rate (FDR) identified 21 novel PD risk loci on associations with BSPs at conditional FDR < 0.01, and the conjunctional FDR analysis demonstrated that PD shared several genomic loci with certain BSPs at conjunctional FDR < 0.05. Among the shared loci, 16 credible mapped genes showed high expression in the brain tissues and were primarily associated with immune function-related biological processes.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed the polygenic overlap with mixed directions of allelic effects between PD and BSPs and identified multiple shared genomic loci and risk genes, which are likely related to immune-related biological processes. These findings provide insight into the complex genetic architecture associated with PD. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

The systemic immune response in Parkinson's disease: focus on the peripheral immune component

During Parkinson's disease (PD), both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) are affected. In parallel, innate immune cells respond early to neuronal changes and alpha-synuclein (α-syn) pathology. Moreover, some of the affected neuronal groups innervate organs with a relevant role in immunity. Consequently, not only microglia, but also peripheral immune cells are altered, resulting in a systemic immune response. Innate and adaptive immune cells may participate in the neurodegenerative process by acting peripherally, infiltrating the brain, or releasing mediators that can protect or harm neurons. However, the sequence of the changes and the significance of each immune compartment in the disease remain to be clarified. In this review, we describe current understanding of the peripheral immune response in PD and discuss the road ahead.

Dopaminergic regulation of inflammation and immunity in Parkinson's disease: friend or foe?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting 7-10 million people worldwide. Currently, there is no treatment available to prevent or delay PD progression, partially due to the limited understanding of the pathological events which lead to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra in the brain, which is known to be the cause of PD symptoms. The current available treatments aim at compensating dopamine (DA) deficiency in the brain using its precursor levodopa, dopaminergic agonists and some indirect dopaminergic agents. The immune system is emerging as a critical player in PD. Therefore, immune-based approaches have recently been proposed to be used as potential antiparkinsonian agents. It has been well-known that dopaminergic pathways play a significant role in regulating immune responses in the brain. Although dopaminergic agents are the primary antiparkinsonian treatments, their immune regulatory effect has yet to be fully understood. The present review summarises the current available evidence of the immune regulatory effects of DA and its mimics and discusses dopaminergic agents as antiparkinsonian drugs. Based on the current understanding of their involvement in the regulation of neuroinflammation in PD, we propose that targeting immune pathways involved in PD pathology could offer a better treatment outcome for PD patients.

Biomarkers of Neurological Damage: From Acute Stage to Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Background: Neurological symptoms (NS) in COVID-19 are related to both acute stage and long-COVID. We explored levels of brain injury biomarkers (NfL and GFAP) and myeloid activation marker (sCD163) and their implications on the CNS. Materials and Methods: In hospitalized COVID-19 patients plasma samples were collected at two time points: on hospital admission (baseline) and three months after hospital discharge (Tpost). Patients were stratified according to COVID-19 severity based on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) onset (severe and non-severe groups). A further stratification according to the presence of NS (with and without groups) at baseline (requiring a puncture lumbar for diagnostic purposes) and according to NS self-referred at Tpost was performed. Finally, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from patients with NS present at baseline. Results: We enrolled 144 COVID-19 patients (62 female/82 male; median age [interquartile range, IQR]): 64 [55-77]) and 53 heathy donors (HD, 30 female/23 male; median age [IQR]: 64 [59-69]). At baseline, higher plasma levels of NfL, GFAP and sCD163 in COVID-19 patients compared to HD were observed (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively), especially in those with severe COVID-19 (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Patients with NS showed higher plasma levels of NfL, GFAP and sCD163 compared to those without (p = 0.0023, p < 0.0001 and 0.0370, respectively). At baseline, in COVID-19 patients with NS, positive correlations between CSF levels of sCD163 and CSF levels of NfL (ρ = 0.7536, p = 0.0017) and GFAP were observed (ρ = 0.7036, p = 0.0045). At Tpost, the longitudinal evaluation performed on 77 COVID-19 patients showed a significant reduction in plasma levels of NfL, GFAP and sCD163 compared to baseline (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0413, respectively). Finally, at Tpost, in the severe group, higher plasma levels of sCD163 in patients with NS compared to those without were reported (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: High plasma levels of NfL, GFAP and sCD163 could be due to a proinflammatory systemic and brain response involving microglial activation and subsequent CNS damage. Our data highlight the association between myeloid activation and CNS perturbations.

Sex differences in alpha-synucleinopathies: a systematic review

Background

Past research indicates a higher prevalence, incidence, and severe clinical manifestations of alpha-synucleinopathies in men, leading to a suggestion of neuroprotective properties of female sex hormones (especially estrogen). The potential pathomechanisms of any such effect on alpha-synucleinopathies, however, are far from understood. With that aim, we undertook to systematically review, and to critically assess, contemporary evidence on sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies using a bench-to-bedside approach.

Methods

In this systematic review, studies investigating sex and gender differences in alpha-synucleinopathies (Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behavior Disorder (RBD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)) from 2012 to 2022 were identified using electronic database searches of PubMed, Embase and Ovid.

Results

One hundred sixty-two studies were included; 5 RBD, 6 MSA, 20 DLB and 131 PD studies. Overall, there is conclusive evidence to suggest sex-and gender-specific manifestation in demographics, biomarkers, genetics, clinical features, interventions, and quality of life in alpha-synucleinopathies. Only limited data exists on the effects of distinct sex hormones, with majority of studies concentrating on estrogen and its speculated neuroprotective effects.

Conclusion

Future studies disentangling the underlying sex-specific mechanisms of alpha-synucleinopathies are urgently needed in order to enable novel sex-specific therapeutics.

Monocytes in the Characterization of Pain in Palliative Patients with Severe Dementia-A Pilot Study

In assessing and managing pain, when obtaining a self-report is impossible, therapeutic decision-making becomes more challenging. This study aimed to investigate whether monocytes and some membrane monocyte proteins, identified as a cluster of differentiation (CD), could be potential non-invasive peripheral biomarkers in identifying and characterizing pain in patients with severe dementia. We used 53 blood samples from non-oncological palliative patients, 44 patients with pain (38 of whom had dementia) and 0 without pain or dementia (controls). We evaluated the levels of monocytes and their subtypes, including classic, intermediate, and non-classic, and characterized the levels of specific phenotypic markers, namely CD11c, CD86, CD163, and CD206. We found that the relative concentrations of monocytes, particularly the percentage of classic monocytes, may be a helpful pain biomarker. Furthermore, the CD11c expression levels were significantly higher in patients with mixed pain, while CD163 and CD206 expression levels were significantly higher in patients with nociceptive pain. These findings suggest that the levels of monocytes, particularly the classic subtype, and their phenotype markers CD11c, CD163, and CD206 could serve as pain biomarkers in patients with severe dementia.

The interplay between monocytes, α-synuclein and LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease

The accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein in susceptible neurons in the brain, together with robust activation of nearby myeloid cells, are pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). While microglia represent the dominant type of myeloid cell in the brain, recent genetic and whole-transcriptomic studies have implicated another type of myeloid cell, bone-marrow derived monocytes, in disease risk and progression. Monocytes in circulation harbor high concentrations of the PD-linked enzyme leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and respond to both intracellular and extracellular aggregated α-synuclein with a variety of strong pro-inflammatory responses. This review highlights recent findings from studies that functionally characterize monocytes in PD patients, monocytes that infiltrate into cerebrospinal fluid, and emerging analyses of whole myeloid cell populations in the PD-affected brain that include monocyte populations. Central controversies discussed include the relative contribution of monocytes acting in the periphery from those that might engraft in the brain to modify disease risk and progression. We conclude that further investigation into monocyte pathways and responses in PD, especially the discovery of additional markers, transcriptomic signatures, and functional classifications, that better distinguish monocyte lineages and responses in the brain from other types of myeloid cells may reveal points for therapeutic intervention, as well as a better understanding of ongoing inflammation associated with PD.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of the macrophage-specific biomarker sCD163 are diagnostic for Lyme neuroborreliosis: an observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate levels of the macrophage-specific marker, sCD163, in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis. We tested the diagnostic value of CSF-sCD163 and ReaScan-CXCL13 and analyzed if plasma-sCD163 could monitor treatment response.

METHODS

An observational cohort study: Cohort 1-Cerebrospinal fluid from adults with neuroborreliosis (n=42), bacterial meningitis (n=16), enteroviral meningitis (n=29), and controls (n=33); Cohort 2-Plasma from 23 adults with neuroborreliosis collected at diagnosis, three, and six months. sCD163 was determined using an in-house sandwich ELISA. ReaScan-CXCL13 measured semiquantitative concentrations of CXCL13, cut-off ≥250 pg/ml diagnosed neuroborreliosis. Receiver Operating Characteristics analyzed the diagnostic strength. A linear mixed model including follow-up as categorical fixed effect analyzed differences in plasma-sCD163.

RESULTS

CSF-sCD163 was higher in neuroborreliosis (643 µg/l) than in enteroviral meningitis (106 µg/l, p<0.0001) and controls (87 µg/l, p<0.0001), but not bacterial meningitis (669 µg/l, p=0.9). The optimal cut-off was 210 µg/l, area under the curve (AUC) 0.85. Combining ReaScan-CXCL13 with CSF-sCD163 increased AUC to 0.89. Plasma-sCD163 showed little variation and was not elevated during the 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion CSF-sCD163 is diagnostic for neuroborreliosis with an optimal cut-off of 210 µg/l. Combining ReaScan-CXCL13 with CSF-sCD163 increases AUC. Plasma-sCD163 cannot monitor treatment response.

Monocyte-derived cells invade brain parenchyma and amyloid plaques in human Alzheimer's disease hippocampus

Microglia are brain-resident myeloid cells and play a major role in the innate immune responses of the CNS and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the contribution of nonparenchymal or brain-infiltrated myeloid cells to disease progression remains to be demonstrated. Here, we show that monocyte-derived cells (MDC) invade brain parenchyma in advanced stages of AD continuum using transcriptional analysis and immunohistochemical characterization in post-mortem human hippocampus. Our findings demonstrated that a high proportion (60%) of demented Braak V-VI individuals was associated with up-regulation of genes rarely expressed by microglial cells and abundant in monocytes, among which stands the membrane-bound scavenger receptor for haptoglobin/hemoglobin complexes or Cd163. These Cd163-positive MDC invaded the hippocampal parenchyma, acquired a microglial-like morphology, and were located in close proximity to blood vessels. Moreover, and most interesting, these invading monocytes infiltrated the nearby amyloid plaques contributing to plaque-associated myeloid cell heterogeneity. However, in aged-matched control individuals with hippocampal amyloid pathology, no signs of MDC brain infiltration or plaque invasion were found. The previously reported microglial degeneration/dysfunction in AD hippocampus could be a key pathological factor inducing MDC recruitment. Our data suggest a clear association between MDC infiltration and endothelial activation which in turn may contribute to damage of the blood brain barrier integrity. The recruitment of monocytes could be a consequence rather than the cause of the severity of the disease. Whether monocyte infiltration is beneficial or detrimental to AD pathology remains to be fully elucidated. These findings open the opportunity to design targeted therapies, not only for microglia but also for the peripheral immune cell population to modulate amyloid pathology and provide a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms underlying the progression of AD.

Disease mechanisms as subtypes: Immune dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

In recent years, the contraposition between inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes has been increasingly challenged. Inflammation has been emphasized as a key player in the onset and progression of Parkinson disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The strongest indicators of the involvement of the immune system derived from evidence of microglial activation, profound imbalance in phenotype and composition of peripheral immune cells, and impaired humoral immune responses. Moreover, peripheral inflammatory mechanisms (e.g., involving the gut-brain axis) and immunogenetic factors are likely to be implicated. Even though several lines of preclinical and clinical studies are supporting and defining the complex relationship between the immune system and PD, the exact mechanisms are currently unknown. Similarly, the temporal and causal connections between innate and adaptive immune responses and neurodegeneration are unsettled, challenging our ambition to define an integrated and holistic model of the disease. Despite these difficulties, current evidence is providing the unique opportunity to develop immune-targeted approaches for PD, thus enriching our therapeutic armamentarium. This chapter aims to provide an extensive overview of past and present studies that explored the implication of the immune system in neurodegeneration, thus paving the road for the concept of disease modification in PD.

Aggregated alpha-synuclein transcriptionally activates pro-inflammatory canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathways in peripheral monocytic cells

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by chronic neuroinflammation, loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and in several cases accumulation of alpha-synuclein fibril (α-syn) containing Lewy-bodies (LBs). Peripheral inflammation may play a causal role in inducing and perpetuating neuroinflammation in PD and accumulation of fibrillar α-syn has been reported at several peripheral sites including the gut and liver. Peripheral fibrillar α-syn may induce activation of monocytes via recognition by toll-like receptors (TLRs) and stimulation of downstream NF-κB signaling; however, the specific mechanism by which this occurs is not defined. In this study we utilized the THP-1 monocytic cell line to model the peripheral transcriptional response to preformed fibrillar (PFF) α-syn. Compared to monomeric α-syn, PFF α-syn displays overt inflammatory gene upregulation and pathway activation including broad pan-TLR signaling pathway activation and increases in TNF and IL1B gene expression. Notably, the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway gene and PD genome wide association study (GWAS) candidate NFKB2 was upregulated. Additionally, non-canonical NF-κB activation-associated RANK and CD40 pathways were also upregulated. Transcriptional-phenotype analysis suggests PFFs induce transcriptional programs associated with differentiation of monocytes towards macrophages and osteoclasts via non-canonical NF-κB signaling as a potential mechanism in which myeloid/monocyte cells may contribute to peripheral inflammation and pathogenesis in PD.

RAGE Against the Glycation Machine in Synucleinopathies: Time to Explore New Questions

Oligomerization and aggregation of misfolded forms of α-synuclein are believed to be key molecular mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, so extensive research has attempted to understand these processes. Among diverse post-translational modifications that impact α-synuclein aggregation, glycation may take place at several lysine sites and modify α-synuclein oligomerization, toxicity, and clearance. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a key regulator of chronic neuroinflammation through microglial activation in response to advanced glycation end products, such as carboxy-ethyl-lysine, or carboxy-methyl-lysine. The presence of RAGE in the midbrain of PD patients has been reported in the last decades and this receptor was proposed to have a role in sustaining PD neuroinflammation. However, different PD animal models demonstrated that RAGE is preferentially expressed in neurons and astrocytes, while recent evidence demonstrated that fibrillar, non-glycated α-synuclein binds to RAGE. Here, we summarize the available data on α-synuclein glycation and RAGE in the context of PD, and discuss about the questions yet to be answered that may increase our understanding of the molecular bases of PD and synucleinopathies.

Monocytosis in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection predicts the presence of anosognosia for cognitive deficits in the chronic phase

Reduced awareness of neuropsychological disorders (i.e., anosognosia) is a striking symptom of post-COVID-19 condition. Some leukocyte markers in the acute phase may predict the presence of anosognosia in the chronic phase, but they have not yet been identified. This study aimed to determine whether patients with anosognosia for their memory deficits in the chronic phase presented specific leukocyte distribution in the acute phase, and if so, whether these leukocyte levels might be predictive of anosognosia.

First, we compared the acute immunological data (i.e., white blood cell differentiation count) of 20 patients who displayed anosognosia 6–9 months after being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (230.25 ± 46.65 days) versus 41 patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 who did not develop anosognosia. Second, we performed an ROC analysis to evaluate the predictive value of the leukocyte markers that emerged from this comparison.

Blood circulating monocytes (%) in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection were associated with long-term post-COVID-19 anosognosia. A monocyte percentage of 7.35% of the total number of leukocytes at admission seemed to predict the presence of chronic anosognosia 6–9 months after infection.

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, monocyte polarization, and exercise-related changes in mnemonic discrimination performance in older adults

Biological aging is accompanied by a chronic pro-inflammatory state that may facilitate losses in hippocampal-dependent mnemonic discrimination. Aerobic exercise training promotes adaptations that include improved immune competency, higher cardiorespiratory fitness, and maintenance of hippocampal function. However, it is poorly understood whether, in active older adults, baseline immune cell profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness are possible mechanisms that facilitate the long-term benefits to hippocampal dependent mnemonic discrimination performance. This within-subjects study with counterbalanced conditions aimed to investigate whether baseline monocyte polarization and cardiorespiratory fitness influenced performance in the mnemonic similarity task (MST) and related Lure Discrimination Index (LDI) score after an acute bout of exercise. Twenty-one active older adults (M = 68 ± 5 yrs) underwent baseline testing in which blood samples were collected and cardiorespiratory fitness measured. Participants then returned and completed a seated rest or moderate intensity aerobic exercise condition in which the MST was proctored prior to and 5 min after each condition. A linear mixed effects model was used in which Participant ID was a random effect and Condition (rest v. exercise), Time (pre- v post-), and order were fixed main effects. Simple linear regression models were used to determine the variance accounted for by monocyte phenotypes and cardiorespiratory fitness for LDI scores post-condition. Post-rest LDI scores were significantly lower than post-exercise LDI scores (t(20) = -2.65, p < 0.02, d = -0.57). Intermediate monocytes were significant predictors of the change in pre- to post-exercise LDI scores (F(1, 19) = 6.03, p = 0.024, R² = 0.24) and cardiorespiratory fitness was a significant predictor of the difference between post-condition LDI scores (F(1, 19) = 6.71, p = 0.018, R² = 0.26). Our results suggest baseline cardiorespiratory fitness and intermediate monocytes may relate to the integrity of hippocampal-dependent mnemonic discrimination performance, and possibly the degree of responsiveness to aerobic exercise interventions.

Increased PRR14 and VCAM-1 level in serum of patients with Parkinson's disease

Background

Regarding the complexity of Parkinson's disease (PD), the identification of reliable biomarkers is of great significance for improving the accuracy of diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Recently, some studies suggested that serum proline-rich protein 14 (PRR14), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and soluble CD163 (sCD163) factors may be associated with PD, even as potential biomarkers. However, the role of these serum factors is still unclear.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the alterations of serum PRR14, VCAM-1, and sCD163 levels during PD progression, and their association with disease-related variables of PD.

Methods

We performed the assessment of scale tests and the detection of serum samples in patients with PD (n = 100) and healthy controls (HCs, n = 100). Furthermore, we investigated the association between serum factors and sex, cognitive impairments, H&Y (Hohn and Yahr), age at onset (AAO), and other variables in patients with PD.

Results

Patients with PD exhibited increased PRR14 and VCAM-1 serum levels compared with HCs. No significant differences were found in serum levels of sCD163. Subgroup analysis uncovered increased VCAM-1 in the female and male subgroups (PD and HCs). Among patients with PD, decreased PRR14 and increased VCAM-1 were associated with severer cognitive impairments and severer PD (H&Y), respectively. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between VCAM-1 and AAO.

Conclusions

Increased serum levels of PRR14 and VCAM-1 suggest that inflammation and defective autophagy may play vital roles in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the potential mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Dysregulation of peripheral monocytes and pro-inflammation of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mounting evidence indicates the involvement of the innate immune system in Parkinson's disease (PD). Nevertheless, the implications of peripheral monocytes have not been fully elucidated. Although alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) has been described as a pathological hallmark of PD, the proinflammatory effect of α-synuclein on monocytes is understudied. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize peripheral monocytes in PD patients and to investigate the proinflammatory magnitude of fibrillar α-synuclein.

METHODS

Using flow cytometry, we explored the distribution of monocytic subpopulations. We also investigated the actions of peripheral monocytes in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and to fibrillar α-synuclein stimuli by measuring inflammatory molecule levels in post-culture supernatants.

RESULTS

Classical monocytes were enriched, in parallel with lower proportions of intermediate and nonclassical monocytes in patients with PD than in controls. Lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were spontaneously produced by unstimulated monocytes in patients with PD. LPS and fibrillar α-synuclein stimuli induced high levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and sCD163 in the PD and control groups. Strikingly, the fold induction of TNF-α and IL-6 was lower in patients with PD than that in normal controls under the same stimulation.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed a strong dysregulation of peripheral monocytes in PD patients, including subpopulation shifts and impaired response to specific stimuli, and the proinflammatory effect of α-synuclein on monocytes. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific mechanisms by which these immunological abnormalities are present in PD to open the possibility of immunoregulatory therapy.

Potential diagnostic and prognostic of efferocytosis-related unwanted soluble receptors/ligands as new non-invasive biomarkers in disorders: a review

Efferocytosis is the process by which apoptotic cells are removed without inflammation to maintain tissue homeostasis, prevent unwanted inflammatory responses, and inhibit autoimmune responses. Coordination of efferocytosis occurs via many surfaces and chemotactic molecules and adaptors. Recently, soluble positive or negative mediators of efferocytosis, have been more noticeable as non-invasive valuable biomarkers in prognosis and targeted therapy. These soluble factors can be detected in different bodily fluids, such as serum, plasma, and urine as a non-invasive method. There are lots of studies that have tried to show the importance of receptors and ligands in disorders; while a few studies tried to indicate the importance of soluble forms of receptors/ligands and their clinical aspects as a systemic compound and shedding of targets related to efferocytosis. Some of these soluble forms also can be as sensitive as specific biomarkers for certain diseases compared with routine biomarkers, such as soluble circulatory Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 vs. troponin T in the acute coronary syndrome. Thus, this review tried to gain more understanding about efferocytosis-related unwanted soluble receptors/ligands, their roles, the clinical significance, and potential for diagnosis, and prognosis related to different diseases.

Changes in CD163+, CD11b+, and CCR2+ peripheral monocytes relate to Parkinson's disease and cognition

Alpha-synuclein pathology is associated with immune activation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The immune activation involves not only microglia but also peripheral immune cells, such as mononuclear phagocytes found in blood and infiltrated in the brain. Understanding peripheral immune involvement is essential for developing immunomodulatory treatment. Therefore, we aimed to study circulating mononuclear phagocytes in early- and late-stage Parkinson's disease, defined by disease duration of less or more than five years, respectively, and analyze their association with clinical phenotypes. We performed a cross-sectional multi-color flow cytometry study on 78 sex-balanced individuals with sporadic Parkinson's disease, 28 controls, and longitudinal samples from seven patients and one control. Cell frequencies and surface marker expressions on natural killer cells, monocyte subtypes, and dendritic cells were compared between groups and correlated with standardized clinical scores. We found elevated frequencies and surface levels of migration- (CCR2, CD11b) and phagocytic- (CD163) markers, particularly on classical and intermediate monocytes in early Parkinson's disease. HLA-DR expression was increased in advanced stages of the disease, whereas TLR4 expression was decreased in women with Parkinson's Disease. The disease-associated immune changes of CCR2 and CD11b correlated with worse cognition. Increased TLR2 expression was related to worse motor symptoms. In conclusion, our data highlights the TLR2 relevance in the symptomatic motor presentation of the disease and a role for peripheral CD163⁺ and migration-competent monocytes in Parkinson's disease cognitive defects. Our study suggests that the peripheral immune system is dynamically altered in Parkinson's disease stages and directly related to both symptoms and the sex bias of the disease.

Targeting alpha-synuclein via the immune system in Parkinson's disease: Current vaccine therapies

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is defined pathologically by the abnormal accumulation of the presynaptic protein alpha-synuclein (aSyn) in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites and loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Because of aSyn's involvement in both sporadic and familial forms of PD, it has become a key target for the development of novel therapeutics. Aberrant aSyn is associated with multiple mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration including inflammation, impaired mitochondrial function, altered protein degradation systems, and oxidative stress. Inflammation, in particular, has emerged as a potential significant contributor early in the disease making it an attractive target for disease modification and neuroprotection. Thus, immunotherapies targeting aSyn are currently being investigated in pre-clinical and clinical trials. The focus of this review is to highlight the role of aSyn in neuroinflammation and discuss the current status of aSyn-directed immunotherapies in pre-clinical and clinical trials for PD.

Parkinsonism and dementia

The aim of the present review is to summarize literature data on dementia in parkinsonian disorders. Cognitive decline and the gradual development of dementia are considered to be key features in the majority of parkinsonian conditions. The burden of dementia in everyday life of parkinsonian patients and their caregivers is vast and can be even more challenging to handle than the motor component of the disease. Common pathogenetic mechanisms involve the aggregation and spreading of abnormal proteins like alpha-synuclein, tau or amyloid in cortical and subcortical regions with subsequent dysregulation of multiple neurotransmitter systems. The degree of cognitive deterioration in these disorders is variable and ranges from mild cognitive impairment to severe cognitive dysfunction. There is also variation in the number and type of affected cognitive domains which can involve either a single domain like executive or visuospatial function or multiple ones. Novel genetic, biological fluid or imaging biomarkers appear promising in facilitating the diagnosis and staging of dementia in parkinsonian conditions. A significant part of current research in Parkinson's disease and other parkinsonian syndromes is targeted towards the cognitive aspects of these disorders. Stabilization or amelioration of cognitive outcomes represents a primary endpoint in many ongoing clinical trials for novel disease modifying treatments in this field. This article is part of the Special Issue "Parkinsonism across the spectrum of movement disorders and beyond" edited by Joseph Jankovic, Daniel D. Truong and Matteo Bologna.

Mutations in GBA and LRRK2 Are Not Associated with Increased Inflammatory Markers

Background:

Inflammation is an integral part of neurodegeneration including in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ashkenazi Jews have high rates of genetic PD with divergent phenotypes among GBA-PD and LRRK2-PD. The role of inflammation in the prodromal phase of PD and the association with disease phenotype has yet to be elucidated.

Objective:

To assess central and peripheral cytokines among PD patients with mutations in the LRRK2 and GBA genes and among non-manifesting carriers (NMC) of these mutations in order to determine the role of inflammation in genetic PD.

Methods:

The following cytokines were assessed from peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and INF- γ. A comprehensive intake including general medical conditions, use of anti-inflammatory treatments, motor and cognitive assessments and additional laboratory measures were recorded, enabling the construction of the MDS probable prodromal score.

Results:

Data from 362 participants was collected: 31 idiopathic PD (iPD), 30 LRRK2-PD, 77 GBA-PD, 3 homozygote GBA-PD, 3 GBA-LRRK2-PD, 67 LRRK2-NMC, 105 GBA-NMC, 14 LRRK2-GBA-NMC, and 32 healthy controls. No between-group differences in peripheral or CSF cytokines were detected. No correlation between disease characteristics or risk for prodromal PD could be associated with any inflammatory measure.

Conclusion:

In this study, we could not detect any evidence on dysregulated immune response among GBA and LRRK2 PD patients and non-manifesting mutation carriers.

Human Monocytes Plasticity in Neurodegeneration

Monocytes play a crucial role in immunity and tissue homeostasis. They constitute the first line of defense during the inflammatory process, playing a role in the pathogenesis and progression of diseases, making them an attractive therapeutic target. They are heterogeneous in morphology and surface marker expression, which suggest different molecular and physiological properties. Recent evidences have demonstrated their ability to enter the brain, and, as a consequence, their hypothetical role in different neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge about the correlation between monocyte dysregulation in the brain and/or in the periphery and neurological diseases in humans. Here we will focus on the most common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis.

Periphery and brain, innate and adaptive immunity in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder where alpha-synuclein plays a central role in the death and dysfunction of neurons, both, in central, as well as in the peripheral nervous system. Besides the neuronal events observed in patients, PD also includes a significant immune component. It is suggested that the PD-associated immune response will have consequences on neuronal health, thus opening immunomodulation as a potential therapeutic strategy in PD. The immune changes during the disease occur in the brain, involving microglia, but also in the periphery with changes in cells of the innate immune system, particularly monocytes, as well as those of adaptive immunity, such as T-cells. This realization arises from multiple patient studies, but also from data in animal models of the disease, providing strong evidence for innate and adaptive immune system crosstalk in the central nervous system and periphery in PD. Here we review the data showing that alpha-synuclein plays a crucial role in the activation of the innate and adaptive immune system. We will also describe the studies suggesting that inflammation in PD includes early changes in innate and adaptive immune cells that develop dynamically through time during disease, contributing to neuronal degeneration and symptomatology in patients. This novel finding has contributed to the definition of PD as a multisystem disease that should be approached in a more integratory manner rather than a brain-focused classical approach.

Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease: Triggers, Mechanisms, and Immunotherapies

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease involving multiple etiologies and pathogenesis, in which neuroinflammation is a common factor. Both preclinical experiments and clinical studies provide evidence for the involvement of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of PD, although there are a number of key issues related to neuroinflammatory processes in PD that remain to be addressed. In this review, we highlight the relationship between the common pathological mechanisms of PD and neuroinflammation, including aggregation of α-synuclein, genetic factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut microbiome dysbiosis. We also describe the two positive feedback loops initiated in PD after the immune system is activated, and their role in the pathogenesis of PD. In addition, the interconnections and differences between the central and peripheral immune systems are discussed. Finally, we review the latest progress in immunotherapy research for PD patients, and propose future directions for clinical research.