Humoral cross reactivity between α-synuclein and herpes simplex-1 epitope in Parkinson's disease, a triggering role in the disease?

J Neuroimmunol. 2016 Feb 15:291:110-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.01.007. Epub 2016 Jan 9.

Abstract

Environmental factors are implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). We have investigated on the role of molecular mimicry between HSV1 and α-synuclein that could foster the progression of PD. The antibody response against homologous peptides in PD patients and healthy controls was evaluated, showing that these antibodies are highly prevalent among PD patients to healthy controls. The competitive assay demonstrated cross-reactivity between HSV1 and human α-synuclein peptides. The results may suggest the hypothesis of the involvement of HSV1 in stimulating the immune cells against the neurons of the substantia nigra as a consequence of the cross reactivity.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; Cross-reactivity; HSV1; Parkinson's disease; α-Synuclein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross Reactions
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Herpes Simplex Virus Protein Vmw65 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • ROC Curve
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism
  • Substantia Nigra / pathology
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Herpes Simplex Virus Protein Vmw65
  • Peptides
  • SNCA protein, human
  • alpha-Synuclein