LRRK2-mutant microglia and neuromelanin synergize to drive dopaminergic neurodegeneration in an iPSC-based Parkinson’s disease model
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of neuromelanin (NM)-containing dopamine neurons (DAn) in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Non-neuronal cells are increasingly recognized as contributors to PD. We generated human microglia-like cells (hMG) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with LRRK2 PD-causing mutations, gene-corrected isogenic controls, and healthy donors. While neither genotype induced neurodegeneration in healthy DAn, LRRK2 hMG become hyperreactive to LPS stimulation, exhibiting increased cytokine expression, reactive oxygen species, and phagocytosis. When exposed to NM-containing particles, but not α-synuclein fibrils, LRRK2 hMG trigger DAn degeneration, in a process that is prevented by pre-treatment with the immunomodulatory drug ivermectin. Finally, post-mortem analysis of midbrain tissue of LRRK2-PD patients show increased microglia activation around NM-containing neurons, confirming our in vitro findings. Overall, our work highlights NM-activated microglia's role in PD progression, and provides a model for testing therapeutic targets.
Authors
- Senda Jiménez‐Delgado (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1066-5324)
- Joana M. Cladera-Sastre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5680-5057)
- Yvonne Richaud‐Patín
- Marta González-Sepúlveda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5627-847X)
- Meritxell Pons‐Espinal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0832-2963)
- Salvador Ventura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9652-6351)
- Miquel Vila (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1352-989X)
- Gerard Roch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9045-0579)
- Lucas Blasco-Agell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4640-4823)
- Manel Juan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3064-1648)
- Joan Compte (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5447-5122)
- Antonella Consiglio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3988-6254)
- Valentina Baruffi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7722-7268)
- Irene Fernández‐Carasa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8195-3510)
- Ángel Raya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2189-9775)
- Eduardo Tolosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6608-3038)
- Zoe Manglano-Artuñedo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4286-4213)
- Veronica Testa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9041-7325)
- Thais Cuadros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7376-7470)
- Jara Montero-Muñoz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6877-4833)
Institutions
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
- Bellvitge University Hospital (ES)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (ES)
- Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge (ES)
- Institut Botànic de Barcelona (ES)
- Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (ES)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (ES)
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (ES)
- Institute of Research and Innovation Parc Tauli (ES)
- Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (ES)
- Research Network (United States) (US)
- Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer (ES)
- Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Biology
- Published
- 2025-08-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08544-4
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 9.72
Funders
- Fundació la Marató de TV3
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación