A novel mechanism by which astrocytes promote Parkinson’s disease pathology　　—Cathepsin D-mediated α-Synuclein cleavage promotes the maturation of neuronal α-Synuclein aggregates—

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in the brain. We found that astrocytes cleave internalized α-synuclein fibrils via the lysosomal protease cathepsin D and transfer them to neurons, thereby promoting the maturation of Lewy neurite-like α-synuclein aggregates. These findings reveal a novel astrocyte-mediated mechanism contributing to Parkinson’s disease pathology.

A novel mechanism by which astrocytes promote Parkinson’s disease pathology—Cathepsin D-mediated α-Synuclein cleavage promotes the maturation of neuronal α-Synuclein aggregates—

A novel mechanism by which astrocytes promote Parkinson’s disease pathology
—Cathepsin D-mediated α-Synuclein cleavage promotes the maturation of neuronal α-Synuclein aggregates—