Induced pluripotent stem cells: a tool for modeling Parkinson's disease

Trends Neurosci. 2022 Aug;45(8):608-620. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2022.05.001. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Among its pathologies, progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra is characteristic and contributes to many of the most severe symptoms of PD. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology have made it possible to generate patient-derived DA neuronal cell culture and organoid models of PD. These models have contributed to understanding disease mechanisms and the identification of novel targets and therapeutic candidates. Still needed are better ways to model the age-related aspects of PD, as well as a deeper understanding of the interactions among disease-modifying genes and between genetic and environmental contributions to the etiology and progression of PD.

Keywords: GBA; LRRK2; Pink1/Parkin; VPS35; iPSC; organoids; sporadic PD; α-synuclein.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Dopaminergic Neurons
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells* / pathology
  • Parkinson Disease* / genetics
  • alpha-Synuclein / genetics

Substances

  • alpha-Synuclein