Supplementary data on virus-like particles in the brainstem of Parkinson's disease patients and controls.

Robert R Dourmashkin,Sherman A Mccall,Peter Locker,Matthew J Hannah

doi:10.12688/f1000research.20504.2

Robert R Dourmashkin, Sherman A Mccall + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.20504.2

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Abstract

In this study, we present 77 transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of human brainstem tissue from 11 cases of late onset Parkinson's disease (PD). The tissues were fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained for TEM application. In addition, we present 11 images from autopsy specimens of 1 case of human poliomyelitis infection as positive controls and 12 images from 8 cases of autopsy specimens of other conditions as negative controls.In the TEM images of the PD cases there were cytoplasmic inclusion bodies consisting of virus-like particles (VLP) 30 nm in diameter that were associated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes. In the nuclei of the PD neurons there were VLP ranging from 40 nm to 50 nm in diameter. In the poliomyelitis cases, similar particles as were observed in PD which were interpreted to be poliomyelitis virus particles. In the negative controls one case was identified which showed similar VLP (Figure 1, controls). A Lewy body was found in this "control" case (Figure 10) suggesting that this was an undiagnosed case of PD. Cytoplasmic ribosomes measuring approximately 17 nm were observed in the control neurons.

Highlights

In our previous communication, we presented a number of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images selected from our work on Parkinson’s disease (PD)
We note the role α-synuclein plays in the pathogenesis of PD3
It is conceivable that a virus is involved with α-synuclein in the pathogenesis of PD

Summary

17 Jan 2022

Any reports and responses or comments on the article can be found at the end of the article. Changes to the text: - The existing figure numbers have been removed and updated. - References to images with new arrows or descriptive text are updated. - New consecutive figure numbers have been inserted into the text. Revised/Updated Figures: - The Parkinsons figures 16,17,20,61,67,68,71 have been removed from the original 84. - New arrows and updated consecutive figure numbers have been assigned to the remaining Parkinsons figures. - The Control figures Nos. 13 and 14 have been removed. Nos. 1–12 have updated consecutive figure numbers. Any further responses from the reviewers can be found at the end of the article were satisfied that no further ethical approval was required.

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