Pathological alphasynuclein in MSA is Unique and Different

MSA – A Unique Disease • MSA is characterized by a very unique type

Study Design • The researchers established a method to prepare and purify pathological alpha-synuclein

Key Findings • Pathological alpha-synuclein isolated from MSA brains have very unique structure that

Future Directions • Further explore the mechanism how the unique features of pathological alpha-synuclein

Thanks! • The scientist are grateful to for a grant in 2017 supporting the

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Pathological alpha-synuclein in MSA is Unique and Different from All the Other Neurodegenerative Diseases -supported study By Dr. Chao Peng

MSA – A Unique Disease • MSA is characterized by a very unique type of pathology in the brain. The accumulation of misfolded alpha. Synuclein in a group of cells called oligodendrocytes, which is not observed in any other types of diseases. • Dose these pathological proteins in MSA has unique properties? How do they acquire these unique features? These are critical questions that remains unknown by is important for the development of new diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for MSA Peng et al. , Neurobiology of Disease, 2018

Study Design • The researchers established a method to prepare and purify pathological alpha-synuclein from MSA post mortem brains • In combination with various animal and cell models, the researchers performed detailed analysis of the properties of pathological alpha-synuclein isolated from MSA brains and compare with those isolated from Parkinson’s disease brains.

Key Findings • Pathological alpha-synuclein isolated from MSA brains have very unique structure that is different from those in Parkinson’s disease brains • Pathological alpha-synuclein from MSA brains is much more aggressive and more potent to induce disease in cell and animals compared with those from Parkinson’s disease brains, which could likely explain the very aggressive nature of MSA. • These very unique features of Pathological alpha-synuclein in MSA patients is due to the unique intracellular environment of oligodendrocytes.

Future Directions • Further explore the mechanism how the unique features of pathological alpha-synuclein in MSA have been generated, which could be new drug targets for MSA • Develop better disease models for MSA based on the unique features of pathological alpha-synuclein in MSA brains. • Develop new diagnostic methods for MSA based on the unique features of pathological alpha-synuclein in MSA brains.

Thanks! • The scientist are grateful to for a grant in 2017 supporting the study.