The role of natural killer cells in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease: How natural killer cells can help Understanding the roles that inflammation and immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells play in Parkinson’s disease (PD) may help in finding new treatments. In PD, a neurodegenerative disease, the protein α-synuclein is misshapen and accumulates in brain cells, causing inflammation. NK cells, which mostly target cancer cells, have recently been shown to resolve inflammation. Jae-Kyung Lee and Rachael H. Earls of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, USA, reviewed the role of NK cells in PD. They report that NK cells can degrade α-synuclein aggregates. Further, NK cells are recruited to areas of inflammation where they then decrease the α-synuclein burden and reduce inflammation. Although further research is needed to understand how age and PD affect NK cell number and functions, these results may illuminate pathways to better treatments for PD.