<p>Brain accumulation of toxic soluble α-synuclein (α-syn) oligomers represents a prodromal marker of synucleinopathies in Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to progressive nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Dysfunction in beta-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation are genetic risks for developing synucleinopathies. However, whether pharmacological GCase activation ameliorated synucleinopathies in LRRK2-PD was unexplored. Here, we showed that long-term treatment of ambroxol (ABX), a brain-penetrant GCase activator, reduced α-syn oligomer accumulation in aged mutant LRRK2<sup>R1441G</sup> mouse striatum. Acute ABX treatment (50 µM) increased cellular GCase enzymatic activity and reduced Ser129-α-syn phosphorylation in human SH-SY5Y cells and mutant LRRK2 mouse fibroblasts, independent to LRRK2 kinase activity. Real-time DQ-BSA assay revealed lysosomal dysfunction in mutant MEFs, which was partially attenuated by ABX treatment. Lysosomal stress by bafilomycin-A1 induced endogenous GCase activity in wildtype (WT) MEFs, which was not observed in the LRRK2 mutant. Single gavage of ABX (400 mg/kg) in aged mice achieved peak drug level in serum and brain within 6 h post-administration. Ad libitum feeding of ABX (in food pellets) over 18 weeks (average dose: 45.9 mg/kg/day) elevated brain GCase activity in both WT and mutant striatum without affecting body weight. This regimen significantly reduced α-syn oligomer level in mutant striatum to a comparable physiological level in age-matched WT without altering total α-syn and Ser129-phosphorylation levels. This is the first study demonstrating reduced α-syn oligomer accumulation by chronic treatment of GCase activator in aged mouse brains vulnerable to PD, suggesting early intervention to alter progression of synucleinopathies as a key determinant of clinical outcomes of PD.</p>

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Long-term oral glucocerebrosidase activator reduces soluble α-synuclein oligomer accumulation in Parkinsonian LRRK2 mutant mouse brain

  • Zoe Yuen-Kiu Choi,
  • Huifang Liu,
  • Eunice Eun-Seo Chang,
  • Shirley Yin-Yu Pang,
  • Ivy Lingyi Luo,
  • Yuefei Ruan,
  • Qi Wang,
  • Yasine Malki,
  • Steffi Xi-Yue Zhang,
  • Kerry Yupeng Weng,
  • Benson Wui-Man Lau,
  • Roy Chun-Laam Ng,
  • Zaijun Zhang,
  • Shu-Leong Ho,
  • Philip Wing-Lok Ho

摘要

Brain accumulation of toxic soluble α-synuclein (α-syn) oligomers represents a prodromal marker of synucleinopathies in Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to progressive nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Dysfunction in beta-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation are genetic risks for developing synucleinopathies. However, whether pharmacological GCase activation ameliorated synucleinopathies in LRRK2-PD was unexplored. Here, we showed that long-term treatment of ambroxol (ABX), a brain-penetrant GCase activator, reduced α-syn oligomer accumulation in aged mutant LRRK2R1441G mouse striatum. Acute ABX treatment (50 µM) increased cellular GCase enzymatic activity and reduced Ser129-α-syn phosphorylation in human SH-SY5Y cells and mutant LRRK2 mouse fibroblasts, independent to LRRK2 kinase activity. Real-time DQ-BSA assay revealed lysosomal dysfunction in mutant MEFs, which was partially attenuated by ABX treatment. Lysosomal stress by bafilomycin-A1 induced endogenous GCase activity in wildtype (WT) MEFs, which was not observed in the LRRK2 mutant. Single gavage of ABX (400 mg/kg) in aged mice achieved peak drug level in serum and brain within 6 h post-administration. Ad libitum feeding of ABX (in food pellets) over 18 weeks (average dose: 45.9 mg/kg/day) elevated brain GCase activity in both WT and mutant striatum without affecting body weight. This regimen significantly reduced α-syn oligomer level in mutant striatum to a comparable physiological level in age-matched WT without altering total α-syn and Ser129-phosphorylation levels. This is the first study demonstrating reduced α-syn oligomer accumulation by chronic treatment of GCase activator in aged mouse brains vulnerable to PD, suggesting early intervention to alter progression of synucleinopathies as a key determinant of clinical outcomes of PD.