Basic Science and Pathogenesis

Connexins, gap junction components, have been implicated in intercellular connectivity under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including neurodegeneration. Synucleinopathies comprise a diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders pathologically characterized by α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates. However, little is known about connexin-associated α-Syn pathological spread in synucleinopathies METHOD: Here, we present evidence of connexin-50 (Cx50) directly interacting with α-Syn aggregates in human brains affected by synucleinopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson's disease (PD). We also observed this interaction in pre-clinical α-Syn mouse models that exhibit Parkinson's disease-related phenotypes. To achieve this, we utilized immunohistochemistry, pharmacological, and genetic manipulation techniques in connexin cell models and primary co-cultures.

Utilizing well-characterized α-Syn oligomers (BDSOs) isolated from brains affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body dementia (DLB), and Parkinson's disease (PD), we demonstrate that BDSOs preferentially enter cells expressing connexin 50 (Cx50), a protein found in gap junctions, as confirmed by pharmacological inhibition. In live-cell imaging experiments, we observed a significant reduction in BDSO uptake in primary neurons-astrocytes co-cultured from human wild-type α-Syn transgenic mice expressing genetically modified Cx50. This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in α-Syn aggregates. Moreover, the downregulation of Cx50 was associated with a reduction in the activity of astrocytes, as evidenced by a decrease in pro-inflammatory and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that Cx50 plays a crucial role in the interplay between neurons and astrocytes.

This study presents compelling evidence of the connection between disease-relevant α-Syn aggregates and Cx50 in neurons that regulate astrocyte activity. This insight sheds light on the intricate process of pathogenic α-Syn spread in Synucleiopathies.