Dendritic cells in Parkinson's disease: Regulatory role and therapeutic potential

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and the presence of Lewy bodies. While the traditional focus has been on neuronal and glial cell dysfunction, recent research has shifted towards understanding the role of the immune system, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), in PD pathogenesis. As pivotal antigen-presenting cells, DCs are traditionally recognized for initiating and regulating immune responses. In PD, DCs contribute to disease progression through the presentation of α-synuclein to T cells, leading to an adaptive immune response against neuronal elements. This review explores the emerging role of DCs in PD, highlighting their potential involvement in antigen presentation and T cell immune response modulation. Understanding the multifaceted functions of DCs could reveal novel insights into PD pathogenesis and open new avenues for therapeutic strategies, potentially altering the course of this devastating disease.