Ultrastructural changes in peripheral blood leukocytes in α-synuclein knockout mice

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Alpha-synuclein's role in cellular blood components remains largely unexplored.
• Investigating alpha-synuclein's impact on leukocyte ultrastructure is crucial for understanding its broader biological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the ultrastructural changes in leukocytes of alpha-synuclein knockout (KO) mice.
• To quantify specific organelles and structures within leukocytes, including mitochondria, granules, and endoplasmic reticulum.

Main Methods:

• Electron microscopy (EM) was employed to examine leukocyte ultrastructure in alpha-synuclein KO mice and wild-type (WT) littermates.
• Quantitative analysis of mitochondria, primary granules, specific granules (SG), Golgi apparatus (GA), inclusions, rough-endoplasmic reticulum (RER), smooth-endoplasmic reticulum (SER), and cellular projections (CP) was performed.

Main Results:

• Leukocytes from KO mice exhibited significantly increased numbers of SG, inclusions, and SER compared to WT mice.
• While the number of cellular projections (CP) did not differ, their size and shape were altered in KO mice.
• These ultrastructural changes occurred alongside significant lymphopenia in the KO group.

Conclusions:

• Alpha-synuclein deficiency leads to altered secretory particle morphology and increased SER, SG, and inclusions in leukocytes.
• These findings suggest a potential role for alpha-synuclein in vesicular trafficking within leukocytes.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the functions mediated by alpha-synuclein in these cells.