Fig. 8: A schematic diagram of the mechanisms underlying the derivation of increased ApoD in PD and its role in the degeneration of DAergic neurons.
From: Astrocyte-derived apolipoprotein D is required for neuronal survival in Parkinson’s disease
Due to the increased release of astrocytic ApoD, the survival rate of DAergic neurons significantly increased in PD with MPP+/MPTP treatment, which was associated with its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. Astrocytic ApoD protected the function of mitochondria and increased the levels of SOD1 to defend against oxidative stress. Furthermore, astrocytic ApoD inhibited the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and the activation of caspase-3 to suppress cell apoptosis. In this process, increased levels of TAp73 and its phosphorylation at Y99 in astrocytes were required for the increased ApoD levels and its release. In this study, we highlight the importance of astrocytic-derived ApoD in neuron-astrocyte crosstalk and its protective effects in PD models.
