Link Between TB, Parkinson's Identified
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 25, 2018 | 11:53 PM
Researchers have uncovered a potential cause of Parkinson's disease which may also help combat drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB)
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th May, 2018 ) :Researchers have uncovered a potential cause of Parkinson's disease which may also help combat drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB).
The biological causes of Parkinson's remain largely unknown, making it more difficult to develop and improve treatments. The study, showed that the mechanism our immune cells use to clear bacterial infections like tuberculosis (TB) might also be implicated in Parkinson's.
"We think that this mechanism might also be at play in Parkinson's disease, where abnormal masses of protein called 'Lewy bodies' build up in neurons in the brain and cause damage," said lead author Susanne Herbst, post-doctoral student at the Francis Crick Institute -- a biomedical research centre in London.
" Drug-resistant TB is a serious emerging problem, and boosting the body's own immune defence against TB is an important step in the battle against antibiotic resistant strains," said Max Gutierrez from the Crick.
The most common genetic mutation in Parkinson's disease patients is in a gene called LRRK2, which makes the LRRK2 protein overactive.
By studying what LRRK2 does in immune cells, the researchers found that deleting the LRRK2 gene or treating the cells with an LRRK2 blocker significantly reduced levels of mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
The results were also supported by experiments in mice. When the researchers deleted the gene for LRRK2 in mice, they found that they exhibited an enhanced early immune response to TB infection, and had significantly lower levels of Mtb in their lungs than control mice up to two weeks after infection.
The team suspect that LRRK2 might be preventing immune cells in the brain from degrading cell debris properly, leading to a build-up of protein in neurons that disrupts their function, Medical Xpress reported.
"By studying TB, we have found a possible explanation for why LRRK2 mutations are a genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease", Susanne noted. The findings also suggest that LRRK2 inhibitors could be a powerful new way of combating TB, which kills 1.67 million people every year.
Recent Stories
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
Governor for service oriented governance in Punjab
Survivors tell of panic at C.Africa river boat disaster
Enrolment campaign, awareness walk held in Lower Chitral
“Say no to plastic- yes to tress” campaign kicks off in Attock
More Stories From Health
-
Rawalpindi woman gives birth to six babies
4 days ago -
DC calls for intensive anti-polio drive in ICT
5 days ago -
World Hemophilia Day observed to underscore importance of providing comprehensive care
6 days ago -
Six in a family with heart on the 'right side'
6 days ago -
Diabetic disease increasing rapidly : Dr. Noor Elahi Memon
6 days ago -
World Hemophilia Day observed
6 days ago
-
ATC dismisses bail petition of doctor involved in illegal kidneys transplant
14 days ago -
Dr. Shehzad warns against deviation from WHO guidelines on anti-smoking
14 days ago -
Health activists express concerns over attempts to derail tobacco control
16 days ago -
UHS declares MBBS first prof, MS urology exam results
25 days ago -
Increased diagnostic testing for drug resistance
1 month ago -
IRD releases groundbreaking results of end TB programme
1 month ago