The significance of reticulon‐4A in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide. Cognitive impairment resulting from the development of PD is important not only from a medical but also from a legal point of view. It can affect a person's ability to fully control their behavior and make rational decisions also concerning medical procedures. Consent for the performance of clinical procedures, such as the collection of cerebrospinal fluid by lumbar puncture are regulated by the norms of medical law. This has a significant impact on the patient's criminal responsibility. It is suggested that Reticulon‐4A (RTN4‐A) plays a pivotal role in PD. The myelin‐associated protein Nogo‐A is classified as the potent neurite growth inhibitor, which also takes part in regeneration following injury of the central nervous system. It has been demonstrated that RTN4‐A regulates the neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, commonly used in vitro PD model, via the mTOR/STAT3 signaling pathway. However, little is known about the changes of RTN4‐A levels in CSF patients with PD. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to measure RTN4‐A levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) patients with PD and subjects from control group. We also evaluated a relationship between CSF concentrations of RTN4‐A and other markers indicating development of the dementia disorder.MethodThe concentrations of RTN4‐A and amyloid beta 1‐42 (Aß‐42), amyloid beta 1‐40, Tau, as well as pTau181 were measured in 34 subjects, including 18 PD patients and 16 individuals from control group by means of quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultThe CSF concentration of RTN4‐A was significantly higher in PD group in comparison with cognitively normal individuals. Furthermore, in group of patients with PD it was observed statistically significant lower CSF levels of Aß‐42 than in control group. Additionally, the CSF levels of RTN4‐A significantly correlated with tau proteins and age in whole study group.ConclusionOur preliminary study indicates a potential role of RTN4‐A protein in the pathology of PD and its potential usefulness as a candidate biomarker of PD, but these investigations need to be further clarified using a larger study group.