T cells of Parkinson’s disease patients recognize α–synuclein peptides

摘要

Genetic studies associate Parkinson’s disease with alleles of the major histocompatibility complex^–. We find that a defined set of peptides derived from α-synuclein, a protein aggregated in Parkinson’s disease, act as antigenic epitopes displayed by these alleles and drive helper and cytotoxic T cell responses in Parkinson’s disease patients. These responses may explain the association of Parkinson’s disease with alleles of the acquired immune system.