Fig. 2.Transformants releasing E␤C suffered less damage than control lines when EPNs were present. (A) Root damage measured on plants that had received neither WCR eggs nor nematodes was minimal, and there was no difference between transformed and nontransformed plants (n ϭ 5, P ϭ 0.87). (B) Root damage on plants that received only WCR eggs, but no nematodes, was substantial. Again, no significant difference was found between the transformed and nontransformed plants (n ϭ 5, P ϭ 0.18). (C) In plots that received WCR eggs and H. megidis, roots from transformed plants (pooled) had significantly less damage than roots from control lines (n ϭ 30, P ϭ 0.007). Approximately one-quarter of the transformed plants were found not to emit E␤C. Removing these plants from the statistical analysis did not significantly affect the results. The letters above the bars indicate significant differences within a graph. Error bars indicate standard errors.

Abnormal neuronal aggregation of ␣-synuclein is implicated in the development of many neurological disorders, including Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Glial cells also show extensive ␣-synuclein pathology and may contribute to disease progression. However, the mechanism that produces the glial ␣-synuclein pathology and the interaction between neurons and glia in the disease-inflicted microenvironment remain unknown. Here, we show that ␣-synuclein proteins released from neuronal cells are taken up by astrocytes through endocytosis and form inclusion bodies. The glial accumulation of ␣-synuclein through the transmission of the neuronal protein was also demonstrated in a transgenic mouse model expressing human ␣-synuclein. Furthermore, astrocytes that were exposed to neuronal ␣-synuclein underwent changes in the gene expression profile reflecting an inflammatory response. Induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines correlated with the extent of glial accumulation of ␣-synuclein. Together, these results suggest that astroglial ␣-synuclein pathology is produced by direct transmission of neuronal ␣-synuclein aggregates, causing inflammatory responses. This transmission step is thus an important mediator of pathogenic glial responses and could qualify as a new therapeutic target.

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Abnormal deposition and intercellular propagation of α-synuclein plays a central role in the pathogenesis of disorders such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Previous studies demonstrated that immunization against α-synuclein resulted in reduced α-synuclein accumulation and synaptic loss in a transgenic (tg) mouse model, highlighting the potential for immunotherapy. However, the mechanism by which immunization prevents synucleinopathy-associated deficits remains unknown. Here, we show that antibodies against α-synuclein specifically target and aid in clearance of extracellular α-synuclein proteins by microglia, thereby preventing their actions on neighboring cells. Antibody-assisted clearance occurs mainly in microglia through the Fcγ receptor, and not in neuronal cells or astrocytes. Stereotaxic administration of antibody into the brains of α-synuclein tg mice prevented neuron-to-astroglia transmission of α-synuclein and led to increased localization of α-synuclein and the antibody in microglia. Furthermore, passive immunization with α-synuclein antibody reduced neuronal and glial accumulation of α-synuclein and ameliorated neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits associated with α-synuclein overexpression. These findings provide an underlying mechanistic basis for immunotherapy for PD/DLB and suggest extracellular forms of α-synuclein as potential therapeutic targets.

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