Brain-derived exosomes in plasma as a potential biomarker for Parkinson's and related diseases

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16605
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ohmichi Takuma 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (60869288)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: パーキンソン病 / 血液バイオマーカー / LRG / zonulin / 腸管炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our study aimed to establish a quantification system for brain-derived exosomes in human plasma. We collected peripheral blood plasma from patients with PD and disease controls. However, we were unable to complete the separation and extraction of exosomes from the collected samples. Therefore, we focused on measuring disease-specific proteins in the plasma of PD and PS patients and identified potential blood biomarkers. One candidate, Leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG), was highlighted. LRG is known to increase in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. We confirmed elevated serum LRG levels in PD patients. Additionally, we investigated Zonulin as a candidate biomarker for intestinal inflammation in PD. Although we measured serum Zonulin levels in PD patients, there was no correlation with clinical parameters or serum cytokine levels. These results suggest that serum LRG levels may reflect intestinal inflammation in PD.

Free Research Field

神経内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

パーキンソン病は、病理学的にも症候学的にも多様性を持った疾患である。本研究におけるパーキンソン病の腸管炎症のバイオマーカーの開発によって、パーキンソン病における腸管炎症の病態解明と疾患の早期診断が可能となることが期待される。また、多様であるパーキンソン病のバイオマーカーによる分類によって、個別化医療を推進することも期待できる。