CD4+T-CellTranscription Factors in IdiopathicREMSleep Behavior Disorder and Parkinson's Disease

Background CD4+ T-cell dysregulation occurs in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, it is unknown whether it contributes to PD development. The objective of this study was to investigate transcription factor gene expression in CD4+ T cells in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, the strongest risk factor for prodromal PD. Methods Expression of transcription factors (TBX21,STAT1,STAT3,STAT4,STAT6,RORC,GATA3,FOXP3, andNR4A2) was measured in CD4+ T cells from 33 polysomnographically confirmed idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects and compared with expression in cells from matched healthy subjects and antiparkinson drugs-naive PD patients. Results Compared with healthy subjects, idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects and PD patients had lowerTBX21,STAT3, andSTAT4, and higherFOXP3expression.TBX21expression discriminated healthy subjects from idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects and PD patients, but not idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects with PD. Conclusions In idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects CD4+ T cells exhibit a peculiar molecular signature strongly resembling cells from PD patients, suggesting early involvement of peripheral immunity in PD. (c) 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Automated summary

The study revealed a distinct molecular signature in CD4+ T cells of idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder subjects, resembling cells from PD patients, suggesting early involvement of peripheral immunity in PD.