Glial Nrf2 signaling mediates the neuroprotection exerted by Gastrodia elata Blume in Lrrk2-G2019S Parkinson's disease

The most frequent missense mutations in familial Parkinson's disease (PD) occur in the highly conserved LRRK2/PARK8 gene with G2019S mutation. We previously established a fly model of PD carrying the LRRK2-G2019S mutation that exhibited the parkinsonism-like phenotypes. An herbal medicine, Gastrodia elata Blume (GE), has been reported to have neuroprotective effects in toxin-induced PD models. However, the underpinning molecular mechanisms of GE beneficiary to G2019S-induced PD remain unclear. Here, we show that these G2019S flies treated with water extracts of GE (WGE) and its bioactive compounds, gastrodin and 4-HBA, displayed locomotion improvement and dopaminergic neuron protection. WGE suppressed the accumulation and hyperactivation of G2019S proteins in dopaminergic neurons and activated the antioxidation and detoxification factor Nrf2 mostly in the astrocyte-like and ensheathing glia. Glial activation of Nrf2 antagonizes G2019S-induced Mad/Smad signaling. Moreover, we treated LRRK2-G2019S transgenic mice with WGE and found that the locomotion declines, the loss of dopaminergic neurons, and the number of hyperactive microglia were restored. WGE also suppressed the hyperactivation of G2019S proteins and regulated the Smad2/3 pathways in the mice brains. We conclude that WGE prevents locomotion defects and the neuronal loss induced by G2019S mutation via glial Nrf2/Mad signaling, unveiling a potential therapeutic avenue for PD. eLife digest Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that leads to tremors and difficulties with balance and coordination. These symptoms are caused by the loss of neurons which release a chemical messenger that is needed to regulate movement called dopamine. Most treatments for this disease work by boosting levels of dopamine in the brain, but this can lead to severe side effects and these drugs often become less effective over time. A traditional Chinese medicine called Gastrodia elata Blume (or GE for short) has previously been reported to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease in both human and animal studies when administered as a decoction or formula. However, it is unclear how GE protects dopamine-producing neurons and if this mechanism involves another type of brain cell known as glia that has also been linked to Parkinson's disease. To investigate, Lin et al. studied fruit flies and mice that carry a genetic mutation that produces the symptoms and molecular characteristics of Parkinson's disease. The experiments showed that when the flies and mice were fed food containing water extracts of GE, they experienced less difficulties moving and had a higher number of intact dopamine-producing neurons. Lin et al. found that GE switched on a protein in glial cells located near dopamine-producing neurons. Activation of this protein, called Nrf2, inhibited a signaling pathway in degenerating neurons that leads to the disease state. As a result, less dopamine-producing neurons were damaged and the animals' coordination and balance were maintained. These findings suggest that GE could potentially provide an alternative or complementary therapy for Parkinson's disease, although it still needs to be studied further in humans. If the same effect is observed, the specific compounds in GE that have this protective effect could be isolated and analyzed to see if they could be used for treatment.

Automated summary

The water extracts of Gastrodia elata Blume (GE) show neuroprotective effects in G2019S-induced Parkinson's disease fruit flies and transgenic mice by improving motor abilities and protecting dopaminergic neurons. The mechanism involves the activation of the Nrf2 protein in glial cells, which inhibits degenerative signaling pathways in neurons, ultimately preventing neuronal loss and maintaining coordination.