Article: PINK1 deficiency rewires early immune responses in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease triggered by intestinal infection

Output Details

Published May 22, 2025

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a period of non-motor symptoms, including gastrointestinal dysfunction, preceding motor deficits by several years to decades. This long prodrome is suggestive of peripheral immunity involvement in the initiation of disease. We previously developed a model system in PINK1 KO mice displaying PD-like motor symptoms at late stages following intestinal infections. Herein, we map the initiating immune events at the site of infection in this model. Using single-cell RNAseq, we demonstrate that peripheral myeloid cells are the earliest highly dysregulated immune cell type followed by an aberrant T cell response shortly after. We also demonstrate an increased propensity for antigen presentation and that activated myeloid cells acquire a proinflammatory profile capable of inducing cytotoxic T cell responses. Together, our study provides the first evidence that PINK1 is a key regulator of immune functions in the gut underlying early PD-related disease mechanisms.
Tags
  • Gut
  • Original Research
  • PINK1
  • scRNAseq (Single-cell RNA-seq)

Meet the Authors

  • Sherilyn Junelle Recinto, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Desjardins

    McGill University

  • Alexandra Kazanova, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Desjardins

    McGill University

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    Jessica Pei, BSc

    Key Personnel: Team Desjardins

    McGill University

  • Adam MacDonald, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Desjardins

    McGill University